THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

DAVIS 


TH,g   OLD 
-*&*» 


B  E  B E  K  AH 


A  TALE  OF  THREE  CITIES 


BY 

M.    P.    JONES 


NEW  YORK 

JOHN  B.  ALDEN,  PUBLISHED 

1890 

LIBRARY 

DIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


Copyright,  1889, 

BY 

M.    P.    JONES. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER.  PAGE. 

I.  Home  Again,             ....  5 

II.  Faith  and  Unbelief,  12 

III.  The  Soldier  and  the  Apostle,  -  18 

IV.  Rome  in  Flames,  -  -        23 
V.  Seeking  a  Place  of  Refuge,  -           -             31 

VI.  Similarity  and  Dissimilarity,     -  -           -        38 

VII.  Plotting  and  Counterplotting,  45 

VIII.  The  Sand-pits,      -  53 

IX.  Friend  and  Foe,  61 

X.  "  Out  of  Darkness  Into  Light,"  -           -        69 

XI.  An  Unexpected  Delay,  -           -             80 

XII.  The  Voyage,        -  -        87 

XIII.  A  Smouldering  Fire,  -  -             97 

XIV.  The  Outburst  of  the  Flame,       -  -  -      103 
XV.  Alarm  and  Flight,      -  -                        109 

XVI.  In  the  Hospital,  -           -      116 

XVII.  Wounded  in  the  House  of  a  Friend,  -            122 

XVIII.  "  Wars  and  Rumors  of  Wars,"  -           -      130 

XIX.  Evil  Tidings,  137 

XX.  A  House  Divided  against  Itself,  -           -      142 

XXI.  A  Wolf  in  Sheep's  Clothing,  -           149 

XXII.  An  Unexpected  Visit,     -  -      156 

XXIII.  Treachery,      -  -  162 

XXIV.  Fanaticism,  -      170 
XXV.  "  Fightings  and  Fears  Within,  Without,"  -  177 

XXVI.  A  Surprise,  -      186 

XXVII.  Unfavorable  Developments,  191 

XXVIII.  Force  Triumphs  over  Resistance,  199 

XXIX.  A  Review,       -  208 

XXX.  Conflicting  Opinions,       -  -      216 

XXXI.  Fiends  in  the  Guise  of  Men,  221 

XXXII.  An  Unwelcome  Suitor,  -  -      229 

XXXIII.  The  Harvest  of  Death,  236 

XXXIV.  A  Conspiracy,      -  -      243 
XXXV.  The  Harvest  of  Death  Increases,  -                       249 

XXXVI.  A  Daring  Adventure,      -  -      25G 

XXXVII.  The  Daily  Sacrifice  Ceases,  263 

XXXVIII.  Unfruitful  Attacks,        -  -      268 

XXXIX.  Fiends  Again  at  Large,  274 

XL.  The  Glory  of  Israel  is  Departed, 

XLI.  The  Abomination  of  Desolation,  -                        289 

XLII.  A  Final  Attempt,  297 

XLIII.  After  Sorrow  Comes  Joy,     -  305 

XLIV.  The  Triumph,  312 


REBEKAH: 

A  TALE  OF   THEEE  CITIES. 
CHAPTER  I. 

HOME   AGAIN. 

"So  at  last  my  curiosity  is  satisfied.  Is  it  not 
strange  that  I  have  not  met  him  before,  since  he  calls 
to  see  my  uncle  so  often  ?  " 

"  Had  thy  uncle  spoken  so  freely  of  thee  to  him  as 
he  has  of  him  to  thee,  thy  curiosity  would  have  been 
satisfied  long  ago.  But  it  will  indeed  be  strange,  my 
child,  if  thou  see  him  not  more  frequently  in  the 
future  than  thou  hast  in  the  past." 

"  It  will  not  be  more  so  than  thy  words  are  to  me, 
Hagar.  What  dost  thou  mean  ?  " 

"  Ha,  ha,  nothing ;  only  that  men  sometimes  help 
Providence  to  make  opportunities  to  meet  those  they 
— they  wish  to  see." 

"  Thou  art  a  Philistine,  Hagar.  Why  should  he 
be  more  anxious  to  see  me  than  thee  ?  " 

"  When  men  behold  the  sun,  do  they  wish  to  see 
the  moon  ?  " 

This  conversation  took  place  as  the  speakers  de 
scended  a  stairway  that  led  down  to  the  Circus  Max- 
imus  from  the  summit  of  the  Palatine,  which  the 
reed-thatched  cottage  of  Romulus  marked  as  the  birth 
place  of  Rome,  and  which  was  crowned  with  the 
temple  of  Apollo,  the  palaces  of  Caligula  and  Nero, 


6  Eebekah. 

and  many  other  beautiful  but  less  costly  structures. 
From  their  elevated  position,  the  Aventine  Hill,  the 
Tiber,  and  the  region  beyond  were  exposed  to  their 
view.  Were  they  facing  in  a  north-westerly  instead 
of  a  south-westerly  direction,  the  Capitoline  Hill  with 
its  magnificent  temples  and  stately  edifices  would  ap- 
pear  before  Minn  in  nil  its  matchless  splendor.  What 
they  saw  evidently  did  not  interest  them,  for  the  sub 
ject  upon  which  they  talked  was  altogether  foreign 
to  it.  As  they  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the 
younger  of  the  two  remarked — 

"  Surely,  Hagar,  thou  hast  not  been  in  Rome  all 
these  years  without  knowing  all  about  the  Praetorian 
guards?" 

"Why  should  a  daughter  of  Egypt  trouble  herself 
with  the  affairs  of  these  proud  sons  of  Mars?  The 
household  affairs  of  Herodion  the  son  of  Klea/.ar  af 
ford  me  enough  food  for  reflection ;  and  1  fear  that 
if  I  should  feed  my  mind  upon  other  matters,  thou 
and  thy  father  would  starve  for  want  of  food  of 
another  sort." 

"  Ha,  ha !  that  indeed  would  be  a  high  price  to 
pay  for  information;  but  as  it  is  not,  yet,  time  for  supper, 
I  may  willi  safety  tell  thee  what  I  have  learned  coucern- 
ing  the  guards  to  which  tin-  centurion  belongs.  The 
three  cohorts  that  are  stationed  in  the  IVa-torium  on 
Hie  Palatine,  as  thou  knowest,  constitute  the  imperial 
guards,  and  have  been  selected  from  the  IVjetorian 
Bandft that  are  encamped  in  that  fortified  place  out 
side  the  north-east  wall  of  the  city.  These  hands,  I 
have  been  told,  were  organi/ed  by  Augustus,  and  are; 
distinguished  by  double  pay  and  superior  privileges. 
It  is  rumored  also  that  the  high  esteem  in  which  they 
are  held  by  ( .jesar  lias  fostered  their  pride  to  the  de- 
."iv. •  that,  they  consider  the  Senate,  the  public,  treasury, 
and  the  imperial  palace  itself  in  their  power." 

"The  rumor  then  must  be  true,  for  they  are  an  in 
solent,  horde,  and  their  unholy  ga/,e  and  insulting  re 
marks  stir  my  soul  into  rebellion  whenever  I  meet 
them." 


Home  Again.  1 

"  They  are  not  all  insolent,  Hagar ;  surely  thou 
has  not  yet  forgotten  fehe  courteous  manner  of  the 
centurion.  There  is  at  least  one  of  the  Praetorian 
guards  who  is  not  spoiled  by  pride." 

"  Thine  uncle  says  that  Satan  sometimes  appears 
as  an  angel  of  light." 

"  True  ;  but  my  uncle,  as  thy  ears  can  testify, 
has  nothing  but  praise  for  the  centurion.  Besides, 
we  would  not  have  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him 
to-day  if  he  were  proud  or  unkind.  Haughty  Romans 
are  not  accustomed  to  associate  with  a  Jewish  pris 
oner,  especially  if  he  be  a  Christian  Jew.  Thou  art 
prejudiced,  Hagar;  because  brass  is  more  abun 
dant  than  gold,  thou  wouldst  have  me  believe  that 
there  is  no  gold." 

"  Hadst  thou,  O  daughter  of  Herodion,  seen  as 
much  brass  in  the  faces  of  these  worthless  fellows  as 
I  have,  thou  wouldst  not  expect  to  find  much  gold 
in  their  hearts." 

They  had  now  passed  the  Circus  and  were  just 
entering  a  narrow  street  that  led  up  the  northern 
slope  of  the  Aventine  Hill.  On  reaching  the  sum 
mit  they  came  to  a  brick  structure  built  after  the 
style  of  the  residences  of  the  most  prosperous  classes 
at  Jerusalem.  Opening  a  small  door,  which,  with 
the  exception  of  two  windows,  high  up  and  lat 
ticed,  was  the  only  aperture  in  that  side  of  the 
house,  they  passed  through  a  long  passage  into  a 
court-yard  which  was  bounded  on  the  north  and  east 
by  the  angled  parts  of  the  two-storied  structure  in 
which  they  lived,  and  on  the  south  and  west  by  high 
walls.  As  the  lower  story  as  well  as  the  eastern 
part  of  the  court-yard  was  devoted  to  domestic  ani 
mals  and  the  common  employments  of  the  family, 
the  two  women  proceeded  to  the  other  part  of  the 
court-yard,  which  was  set  with  shrubbery  and  vines, 
whose  beauty  and  freshness  were  mainly  due  to  the 
cool  sprays  of  a  small  fountain  of  exquisite  design. 
Lingering  a  moment  to  pluck  a  beautiful  rose,  the 
younger  woman  led  the  way  up  a  broad  stairway  to 


8  Relekah. 

a  veranda  over  which  a  great  awning  was  stretched 
as  a  protection  from  the  sun,  and  disappeared  into 
the  upper  story,  which  was  arched  over  the  rooms 
and  passage-ways  of  the  lower  in  the  approved  style 
of  the  period.  When  she  reappeared  on  the  veranda, 
a  little  later,  she  ascended  with  a  light  step  to  the 
house-top  and  threw  herself  upon  a  divan  in  a  tent 
between  the  battlements  in  the  north-east  angle  of 
the  roof.  The  tent  was  divided  into  two  apartments, 
one  of  which  commanded  a  full  view  of  the  Palatine. 
It  was  this  apartment  that  was  now  occupied  by  the 
young  woman.  As  her  eyes  had  a  far-away  look  in 
them  she  was  evidently  already  lost  in  thought. 
She  could  not  have  seen  more  than  seventeen  sum 
mers,  yet  she  was  in  the  prime  of  female  charms.  Her 
hair  was  brown,  and,  parted  on  the  right,  was  combed 
so  as  to  conceal  the  left  half  of  a  fair,  intellec 
tual  forehead.  Her  eyes  were  large  and  brown,  and 
her  straight,  finely-outlined  nose  vied  with  lips  of 
exquisite  beauty.  A  footstep  on  the  roof  at  length 
aroused  her,  and  springing  to  her  feet,  she  revealed 
a  tall,  graceful  form  clad  in  a  light  robe,  gathered 
loosely  around  the  waist,  and  reaching  to  the  floor. 

"Peace  be  to  thee,  my  dear  father,"  she  exclaimed, 
and  while  her  heart  bounded  with  joy  and  her  face 
glowed  with  pleasure,  she  ran  to  meet  the  person 
addressed,  and  kissed  him. 

He  returned  her  salutation,  adding,  "  Thy  ardor 
reminds  me  of  Jephthah's  daughter,  my  child." 

"  But  thou  wilt  not,  like  Jephthah,  cause  the  ar 
dor  of  thy  daughter  to  die  on  the  altar  of  rash  vows," 
she  confidently  replied,  as  her  father  seated  himself 
on  a  divan  opposite  her  own. 

The  man  who  was  thus  honored  with  a  seat  in  her 
apartment  was  in  the  meridian  of  life,  of  medium 
height,  with  features  of  the  Jewish  type.  He  was 
clad  in  a  robe  of  fine  linen  gathered  around  the 
waist  by  a  girdle  of  silk.  The  robe  from  the  girdle 
upward  was  open  in  front,  revealing  a  highly  em 
broidered  tunic.  His  head  was  covered  with  a  red 


Home  Again.  D 

woolen  cap,  from  the  crown  of  which  hung  a  blue 
tassel.  He  was  a  dealer  in  costumes,  having  a  large 
establishment  in  both  Rome  and  Csesarea.  His  name 
was  Herodion,  the  son  of  Eleazar.  His  wife,  the 
mother  of  his  only  child,  Rebekah,  was  dead. 

Having  seen  her  father  seated,  Rebekah  resumed 
her  former  place,  and  fixing  an  admiring  look  on  his 
face,  asked,  "  Has  the  Lord  made  thy  journey  pros 
perous,  father  ?  " 

"  Thy  Saviour  and  mine,  Rebekah,  never  forgets 
His  faithful  followers.  Thou  rememberest  His  words, 
4  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  His  right 
eousness  ;  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto 
you.'  My  soul  can  truly  testify  to  the  literal  fulfill 
ment  of  His  words.  But,"  said  he,  recalling  himself 
from  the  train  of  thought  he  was  pursuing,  "how  has 
my  daughter  borne  the  long  absence  of  her  father?" 

"  I  fear  that  thy  daughter's  conduct  has  not  been 
worthy  of  thee,"  she  said,  coloring  slightly.  "  Thou 
knowest  that  the  heart  does  not  take  kindly  to  the 
absence  of  loved  ones,  and  listens  with  difficulty  to 
the  voice  of  reason.  The  weeks  that  thou  hast  been 
gone  have  seemed  months  to  me.  My  impatience 
for  thy  return  has  greatly  increased  the  burden  of 
Hagar's  care." 

"  Thou  hast  at  least  one  virtue  still  left,  my  child," 
he  said  smiling,  "  thou  hast  courage  to  confess  thy 
sins.  But,  surely,  thou  didst  not  become  so  com 
pletely  absorbed  in  thy  longing  for  my  return  that 
thou  didst  neglect  thy  religious  duties." 

"  Although  living  in  Rome,  thy  daughter  is  less 
a  heathen  than  a  foolish  child.  The  Palatine  has 
often  seen  Hagar  and  myself  during  thy  absence, 
and  my  thoughts  have  wandered  there  still  more 
frequently.  My  thoughts  were  there  when  thou 
didst  return ;  and  they  hastened  back  only  at  the 
sound  of  thy  footstep."-  Then,  heaving  a  sigh,  she 
continued  :  "  It  pierces  my  heart  to  think  how  long 
my  uncle  has  been  in  bonds,  and  yet  how  patiently 
he  has  borne  them.  Nay,  he  glories  in  his  bonds." 


10 

"  Paul,"  said  Herodion,  changing  from  a  reclining 
to  an  erect  posture,  "  is  a  true  brother  of  thy  sainted 
mother,  and  not  less  true  a  follower  of  the  Christ. 
Our  father  Joseph  did  not  bear  his  imprisonment  in 
Egypt  more  heroically  than  he  has  borne  his  fetters 
in  Rome;  nor  shall  his  fetters  remain  unbroken 
long." 

"What  ground  hast  thou  for  thy  opinion,  father?" 
eagerly  asked  Rebekah. 

"  I  will  tell  thee.  The  ship  in  which  I  sailed  from 
Csesarea  carried  among  others  the  emissaries  and 
witnesses  for  whose  arrival  the  trial  of  thy  uncle  has 
so  long  been  delayed.  With  them  was  one  Ter- 
tullus,  a  Roman  orator,  the  same,  I  was  told,  who 
accused  Paul  before  Felix.  Their  souls  are  full  of 
bitterness.  Their  fanaticism  exceeds  that  of  thy 
uncle  before  he  saw  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  They 
thirst  for  his  blood  as  the  hart  does  for  living  water." 

"  But,"  interrupted  Rebekah,  growing  pale,  "  thou 
dost  not  think  that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  will 
permit  malice  to  prevail  over  righteousness !  " 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  my  child,"  the  father  continued, 
with  a  gesture.  "These  men,  like  ourselves,  are 
Jews,  but,  unlike  ourselves,  they  have  not  submitted 
to  the  yoke  of  the  Christ.  The  madness  which 
caused  their  fathers  to  cry,  '  Away  with  him ; 
crucify  him,'  has  taken  possession  of  them.  Nor  are 
they  without  influence  in  Csesar's  house.  Jezebel 
was  no  more  the  foul  instrument  of  the  prophets  of 
Baal  than  Poppeea  is  of  our  faithless  countrymen. 
But  the  God  of  Elijah  is  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Blessed  Lord.  He  confounded  His  enemies  on 
Mount  Carmel ;  He  can  do  so  in  Nero's  court.  His 
arm  is  not  shortened  that  He  cannot  save.  He 
reigns ;  kings  are  not  beyond  His  power." 

Herodion  uttered  these  last  words  with  a  tone 
and  spirit  worthy  of  Elijah,  and  Rebekah  after  re 
garding  him  in  silence  for  a  moment,  inquired. 

" Knowest  thou  the  time  of  the  trial? " 


ITome  Again.  11 

"  Csesar  appoints  the  time ;  I  am  ignorant  of  his 
will.  But—" 

Here  he  was  interrupted  by  a  voice  calling  at  the 
head  of  the  stairway. 

"Dost  thou  call  us  to  supper,  my  Hagar?"  Her- 
odion  asked. 

"  The  son  of  Eleazar  need  not,  like  David,  go  to  a 
priest  to  beg  for  4  hallowed  bread '  to  satisfy  his 
hunger ;  nor  like  my  namesake  of  old  despair  because 
his  child  is  in  need  of  drink,''  was  the  reply. 

"  Thou  art  a  true  daughter  of  Egypt,  my  Hagar," 
said  Herodion  as  he  and  Rebekah  descended  to  the 
veranda.  "  But  because  thy  origin  is  like  that  of  our 
father  Abraham's  bond-servant,  thou  must  not  like 
her  flee  to  the  wilderness." 

"  Thy  handmaiden  has  no  Sarah  with  whom  to 
quarrel,  and  only  a  Rebekah  of  whom  to  be  jealous," 
answered  the  Egyptian. 

"  Ha,  ha  !  I  knew  that  thou  wouldst  change  thy 
mind.  But  thou  must  not  let  thy  jealousy  lead  thee 
to  forbidden  ground,"  said  Rebekah. 

A  doorway  in  the  side  facing  the  west  admitted 
them  now  into  a  large  room  called  the  triclinium,  in 
the  centre  of  which  stood  a  table  surrounded  on  three 
sides  with  raised  divans  forming  a  hollow  square. 
Each  divan  was  provided  with  an  embroidered  cush 
ion.  The  place  of  honor  at  the  upper  end  of  the 
right  side  was  taken  by  Herodion,  and  the  next  by 
Rebekah,  each  reclining  on  the  left  elbow.  Accord 
ing  to  Jewish  usage  water  was  brought  in  which  their 
hands  were  washed  preparatory  to  eating.  This  duty 
performed,  and  the  divine  blessing  asked,  the  father 
and  daughter  partook  of  the  chief  meal  of  the  day, 
which  consisted  of  soup,  rice,  beans,  and  burgall. 

Supper  over,  Herodion  and  Rebekah  returned  to 
the  roof,  where  in  the  hot  season  they  spent  the  night. 
As  they  left  the  table  Hagar  stood  admiring  the  grace 
ful  form  of  her  mistress,  while  the  light  of  the  chan 
delier  which  hung  from  the  ceiling  revealed  her  own 
dark  features,  and  told  of  forty  years  of  life.  The 


12  fiebekah. 

cheap  earrings  which  adorned  her  ears  were  in  perfect 
harmony  with  the  linen  frock  and  white  turban  which 
covered  her  person.  Although  a  slave,  she  looked 
quite  cheerful,  and  seemed  to  be  entirely  satisfied 
with  her  condition. 


CHAPTER  II. 

FAITH   AND   UNBELIEF. 

THE  startling  peals  of  a  trumpet  pierced  the  morn 
ing  air,  and  Rebekah  awoke  with  a  start  in  time  to 
see  a  squad  of  ten  soldiers  under  the  command  of  a 
decurion  marching  out  of  the  Prsetorium  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  cluster  of  buildings  standing  at  the 
south-west  end  of  Nero's  palace.  They  wore  the 
Roman  uniform :  an  open  helmet  with  a  lofty  crest, 
a  coat  of  mail,  greaves,  and  sandals.  Each  of  them 
carried  a  ponderous  javelin  about  six  feet  in  length, 
ending  in  a  triangular  point  of  steel  measuring  eigh 
teen  inches,  while  a  short,  two-edged  sword  hung  at 
his  side.  The  buckler  and  light  spear,  not  regarded 
necessary  on  th>s  occasion,  were  left  in  the  Prsetorium. 
Their  bold,  erect  bearing,  and  firm,  regular  step  told 
of  years  of  discipline  and  service. 

Stopping  at  a  one-story  house  with  a  columned 
front,  the  decurion,  accompanied  by  one  of  the  pri 
vates,  gave  a  heavy  knock  at  the  door,  which  imme 
diately  opened  to  receive  them.  The  room  which 
they  entered  was  spacious,  and  provided  with  seats 
for  at  least  a  hundred  people.  At  the  other  end  of 
this  room  was  another  door,  leading  into  a  suite  of 
two  rooms  devoted  to  private  use.  As  the  decurion 
entered  the  seated  apartment  he  was  greeted  with  the 
salutation,  "  Peace  be  unto  thee,  O  my  Quintus,"  and 
confronted  by  two  men  coupled  together  with  a  chain, 
One  end  of  which  was  fastened  to  the  right  wrist  of 
the  smaller,  and  the  other  to  the  left  wrist  of  the 


Faith  and  Unbelief.  13 

larger  man.  The  latter  was  heavily  and  strongly 
built,  and  his  armor  and  bearing  declared  him  a 
Roman  soldier.  The  somewhat  diminutive  stature  of 
the  former  compared  unfavorably  with  that  of  his 
guard ;  but  his  well-developed  head  and  expressive 
features  admitted  of  no  comparison.  His  costume, 
like  his  face,  pronounced  him  a  Jew  of  no  mean  rank. 
He  was  none  less  than  Paul  the  Apostle. 

As  the  guards  were  being  changed,  Quintus  the 
decurion  reverently  remarked,  "Thy  God,  O  my 
worthy  prisoner,  has  made  me  the  bearer  of  good 
news  to  thee." 

"  Although  I  have  long  since  learned,  in  whatso 
ever  state  I  am,  therewith  to  be  content,"  Paul 
promptly  replied,  "yet  is  the  bearer  of  good  news 
always  welcome  here.  Of  what  purport  are  thy 
words,  my  Quintus  ?  " 

"  Yesterday  thine  accusers  arrived  from  Jerusalem  ; 
and  Csesar,  after  consulting  with  them,  has  pleased  to 
appoint  the  fifth  day  hence  as  the  time  of  thy  trial," 
the  decurion  explained. 

"  While  my  bonds  have  been  blessed  to  the  further 
ance  of  the  gospel,  as  thine  own  soul  can  testify,  yet 
do  I  gladly  welcome  thy  message,  knowing  that  if  it 
be  God's  will  to  have  me  set  at  liberty,  I  shall  be  able 
to  visit  and  strengthen  my  weak  brethren  in  Asia  and 
Spain ;  and  if  I  be  condemned,  I  shall  depart  and  be 
with  Christ,  which  is  far  better." 

A  smile  of  sweet  resignation  lingered  on  his  care 
worn  face  as  he  uttered  these  words. 

"  May  the  Lord  whom  thou  hast  taught  me  to  know 
and  love,  grant  thee  thy  liberty,"  said  Quintus,  as  he 
and  the  relieved  soldier  turned  to  leave. 

"  And  may  the  God  of  love  and  peace  go  with  thee, 
my  son,"  was  Paul's  benediction. 

The  time  thus  spent  in  effecting  the  exchange  was 
short,  the  rest  of  the  soldiers  in  the  meantime  simnd- 
ing  outside.  When  the  decurion  rejoined  them  the 
relieved  guard  took  his  position  in  the  rear,  and  the 
march  was  resumed.  Various  other  buildings  in 


14  Rebekah. 

which  a  certain  class  of  offenders  were  held  in  custody 
were  visited,  and  all  the  guards  were  disposed  of  in 
the  manner  just  described. 

On  his  return,  the  decurion  led  his  band  of  relieved 
soldiers  towards  a  high  wall  which  formed  a  quad 
rangle  mounted  at  regular  intervals  with  towers. 
Then  passing  through  a  gate  in  the  side  facing  the 
Circus  Maximus,  they  approached  a  network  of  build 
ings  surrounded  by  a  hollow  square,  and  connected 
by  vast  colonnades.  Following  the  principal  passage, 
which,  like  the  Via  Principalis  in  larger  camps,  di 
vided  the  official  quarters,  the  forum,  and  the  quses- 
torium  from  the  quarters  of  the  cohorts,  they  turned 
to  the  left,  and  entered  a  passage  lined  with  two- 
storied  structures,  and  intersected  at  regular  points 
by  other  passages.  Here  they  disbanded,  and  Quintus 
went  to  report  to  his  centurion.  When  he  returned 
to  his  quarters  he  was  accosted  by  another  decurion, 
who  was  leaning  lazily  against  a  huge  column.  The 
subject  introduced  was  far  from  pleasant  to  him,  but 
the  other  persistently  urged  it  upon  him. 

"  Come,  my  Quintus,  come,"  said  he  in  a  pleading 
voice  ;  "  let  the  rattle  of  the  tesserae  lend  fire  to  thy 
spirit  as  of  old." 

"  Dost  thou  remember,  good  Marcus,  those  childish 
days  we  spent  playing  with  shells  on  the  shores  of  the 
Adriatic  ?  "  was  Quintus's  seemingly  irrelevant  reply. 

"  Why  talkest  thou  about  shells  ?  Shells  are  not 
tesserse.  By  all  the  gods  of  Rome !  thou  hast  lost 
both  thy  reason  and  thy  heart.'' 

"Were  those  shells  and  a  pearl  of  great  price 
brought  before  thee,"  continued  Quintus,  ignoring 
the  other's  unkind  remark,  "which  would  be  thy 
choice  ?  " 

"  Dost  thou  attribute  thy  impairment  to  me  that 
thou  askest  such  a  question?  Who  but  an  idiot 
would  choose  shells?  Pearls  are  more  precious  in 
Rome." 

"  Be  it  so.  Yet  thou  regardest  me  a  fool  because 
I  renounce  the  tesserse  for  a  priceless  treasure." 


Faith  and   Unbelief.  15 

"  By  Castor !  thou  art  a  greater  mystery  than  a 
woman's  heart  to  me.  What  is  the  world  coming  to 
when  Fortune  casts  a  priceless  treasure  at  the  feet  of 
a  Praetorian  guard  ?  And  what  spell  has  possessed 
thee  that  thou  findest  no  pleasure  in  a  game  of  dice? 
Fortune  was  in  love  with  Augustus,  and  she  lavished 
her  highest  gifts  on  him  ;  but  draughts  and  dice  never 
had  a  better  friend !  Caesar  lives  in  a  palace  of 
marble  and  gold,  but  the  rattle  of  the  tesserae  is  music 
to  his  ear  !  What  quarrel  has  thy  treasure  with  the 
dice  ?  O  Quintus,  thou  art  mad." 

"  Call  it  madness  if  thou  wilt ;  I  call  it  wisdom. 
Is  it  madness  to  accept  the  true  philosophy  of  life  ? 
Religion  is  my  treasure  and  it  is  the  gift  of  Christ, 
not  of  fortune." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  By  all  the  Jupiters  !  Art  thou  also 
a  victim  of  that  dog  of  a  Jew?  Pluto  take  me  for 
being  so  stupid  !  I  see  it  all  now.  The  Roman  is 
lost  in  the  Jew,  and  sees  things  with  Jewish  eyes. 
He  hates  the  dice  because  he  loves  a  chain.  O  Rome, 
thou  hast  lost  one  of  thy  children  ! " 

"  Thy  dog  of  a  Jew  is  a  Christian  hero,  O  Marcus," 
said  Quintus,  striving  with  his  feelings.  "  He  is  not 
a  Roman ;  yet  can  Rome  find  a  nobler  character  ? 
Was  Brutus  as  loyal  to  Caesar  as  Paul  is  to  Christ? 
Was  Antony  more  eloquent  over  the  dead  body  of 
Caesar  than  Paul  is  when  speaking  of  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  his  Master?  Or  was  Antony  as 
devoted  to  Cleopatra  as  the  apostle  is  to  his  religion? 
Thou  callest  him  a  dog ;  has  he  not  the  courage  of  a 
lion  without  his  ferocity  ?  He  wins  greater  victories 
for  Christ  than  Augustus  won  for  Rome  ! " 

"His  victories  are  certainly  great,  ha,  ha!  if 
Quintus  Lartius  be  one  of  his  trophies,"  said  Marcus 
in  derision.  "  By  Jove,  I  shall  win  the  wreath  of 
immortality  by  petitioning  the  Senate  to  build  a 
pedestal  in  the  forum  on  which  to  place  thee,  with 
the  inscription :  QUINTUS  LARTIUS,  THE  MOST 
CELEBRATED  TROPHY  OF  PAUL  THE  JEW'S  TRIUMPH 
FOU  CHRISTUS!  " 


16  Rebekah. 

"  Ridicule  is  thy  favorite  weapon,  O  Marcus,  and 
thou  dost  use  it  well,"  was  Quintus's  quiet  remark. 
"  But  it  cannot  pierce  through  the  shield  of  patient 
trust  in  Christ.  Wielding  it  gives  thee  pleasure ;  to 
me  it  gives  no  pain.  The  religion  that  chains  cannot 
bind,  can  laugh  in  the  face  of  scorn.  And" 

A  heavy  step  on  the  pavement  close  by  accom 
panied  by  a  harsh  laugh,  prevented  his  finishing  the 
sentence. 

"  What  news,  good  Publius  ?  "  said  Marcus,  address 
ing  the  newcomer.  "  Thy  happiness  could  not  be 
more  complete  if  Fortune  should  offer  thee  her 
throne." 

"  Ha,  ha !  by  the  love-locks  of  Bacchus,  she  may 
soon  offer  me  her  throne,  seeing  that  she  has  already 
favored  me  with  a  smile,"  was  Publius's  laughing 
reply. 

"  What  is  thy  good  luck,  O  child  of  Fortune?  It 
cannot  be  that  thou,  like  Quintus,  hast  been  en 
chanted  by  a  Jew." 

"  A  Jew  would  practice  his  arts  in  vain  upon  my 
heart ;  but  the  enchantment  of  a  Jewess  has  made 
me  both  her  slave  and  her  worshiper." 

"  Thou  at  least  must  be  a  willing  slave,  since  thou 
art  her  worshiper.  How  long  hast  thou  been  in 
slavery?" 

"  About  an  hour." 

"  To  what  name  does  thy  mistress  answer  ?  " 

"  Rebekah." 

"  By  the  girdle  of  Venus,  a  genuine  Jewish  name. 
Of  what  mould  is  her  face  ?  " 

"  Of  the  mould  of  Venus.  When  she  was  made, 
the  mold  was  broken." 

"Perpol!  Dost  thou  hear  that,  my  Quintus? 
Where  does  this  incarnate  Venus  live?" 

"  Where  should  she  live  but  where  the  Goddess  of 
Love  reigns,"  asked  Publius  with  a  grin. 

"  Not  so  fast,  O  slave  ;  please  not  so  fast.  Where 
did  this  unrivaled  Jewess  find  thee  ?  " 

"  Doing  my  duty  as  becomes  a  Praetorian  guard." 


Faith  and   Unbelief.  17 

"  Thou  wilt  not  be  a  Praetorian  guard  long ;  thy 
wits  will  run  away  with  thee.  But  tell  us  more 
about  the  enchantress." 

"  Calm  thy  anxiety,  O  my  Marcus ;  she  needs  but 
one  slave.  Hercle  !  Cicero's  tongue  was  never  so 
eloquent  as  her  eyes ;  nor  is  Seneca's  philosophy  as 
convincing  as  her  lips.  Hadst  thou,  good  Quintus, 
told  me  this  morning  when  thou  didst  leave  me  to 
watch  at  Paul's  side  that  Publius  Romanus  should 
ever  wish  himself  a  Jew,  I  would  have  pronounced 
thee  both  a  liar  and  a  fool ;  for  a  coward  never 
dreads  a  battle  more  than  I  did  that  strange  advocate 
of  Christus.  But  when  that  bewitching  Jewess 
saluted  him  with  a  kiss  I  wished  I  were  Paul  the 
Jew." 

"  Perpol !  the  idea !  a  lion  wishing  to  be  transformed 
into  a  dog !  "  interrupted  Marcus,  casting  a  signifi 
cant  glance  at  Quintus. 

"  By  the  Nyrnphse  !  what  would  a  man  not  do  to 
please  a  pretty  woman?  Thou,  my  Marcus,  hast 
never  been  in  love,  or  having  been  in  love  thou  hast 
never  been  deeply  wounded  by  Cupid,  else  thou 
wouldst  wish  thyself  a  dog,  ay,  even  a  Christian  dog, 
if  thou  couldst  not  otherwise  secure  the  smiles  and 
caresses  of  a  Venus  !  " 

"  If  thou  wouldst  revel  long  in  thy  happy  dream, 
good  Publius,  let  not  the  Jewess  hang  so  loosely  on 
thy  tongue,"  quietly  suggested  Quintus.  "  Priscus, 
the  centurion,  has  ears  as  well  as  eyes,  and  both  are 
in  sympathy  with  a  heart  that  may  have  been  touched 
by  the  charms  of  thy  Venus." 

"  Ha,  ha !  nearest  thou  that,  my  Publius  ?  "  said 
Marcus  with  a  sudden  burst  of  laughter. 

"  Lend  me  a  key  to  thy  meaning,"  said  Publius,  a 
little  crestfallen. 

"  Yesterday  about  this  hour,  Rebekah,  the  daughter 
of  Herodion,  accompanied  by  an  Egyptian  slave, 
entered  Paul's  room,  where  only  a  short  time  before 
Priscus  had  betaken  himself.  The  eyes  of  the  cen 
turion  an4  of  the  Jewess  met.  Need  I  tell  thee  more  ? 


18  Rebekah. 

Does  not  that  which  pleases  the  eye  also  loosen  the 
tongue?" 

Publius,  fearing  the  ridicule  of  Marcus,  was  glad 
to  hear  at  this  juncture  the  call  to  the  morning  drill. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   SOLDIER   AND  THE  APOSTLE. 

REBEKAH'S  solicitude  greatly  increased  with  the 
approach  of  her  uncle's  trial,  as  her  frequent  visits  to 
him  plainly  indicated.  It  was  not  a  little  relief  to 
her  therefore  when  the  trial  was  over,  and  the  aged 
apostle  was  set  at  liberty.  Herodion  also  shared 
in  his  daughter's  feelings,  and  he  realized  that  a 
great  burden  had  been  removed  from  his  heart  as  he 
sat  beside  Paul  in  the  tent  on  the  house-top.  The 
latter  doubtless  was  glad  also  to  have  the  privilege 
of  associating  with  his  kinsfolk  at  their  own  home. 
There  was  no  sign  of  pleasure  in  his  countenance, 
however,  as  Herodion  pushed  aside  the  curtain 
usually  hanging  between  the  two  apartments ;  but 
fixing  his  eyes  on  Nero's  palace  he  said  impressively : 

"  O  the  depth  of  corruption  !  O  the  measure  of  in 
iquity  concealed  by  that  masterpiece  of  art !  O, 
Rome,  the  mistress  of  the  world,  thou  callest  that 
thy  crown !  Its  splendor  is  thy  pride  ;  its  strength 
thy  boast ;  yet  it  is  naught  but  a  whited  sepulchre,  a 
refuge  for  murder,  and  a  haunt  of  vice  and  crime. 
The  monster  that  revels,  plots,  and  lusts  within  its 
garnished  walls  thou  callest  thy  lord ;  but  the  name 
which  brings  no  blush  to  thy  cheek  is  an  abomination 
to  heaven.  The  blood  which  thou  winkest  at  cries 
for  the  vengeance  of  God.  The  wrath  of  Him  with 
whom  we  have  to  do  abides  on  all  the  workers  of  in 
iquity.  Those  that  boast  of  power  equal  with  the 
gods'  must  learn  that  the  Creator  of  heaven  and 


The  Soldier  and  the  Apostle.  19 

earth  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil  with 
pleasure,  or  iniquity  with  approval.  The  heathen 
rage  and  rulers  take  counsel  together ;  but  God  de 
livers  his  children  out  of  their  hands.  Ah  !  Nero,  I 
thank  thee  not  for  my  freedom.  It  is  the  gift  of  God, 
not  thine.  He  it  is  that  strengthened  me  in  my  weak 
ness  ;  comforted  me  in  my  bonds ;  and  pleaded  my 
cause  before  the  ungodly.  Blessed  be  his  name  for 


ever." 


While  Paul  thus  soliloquized,  Herodion  watched 
him  with  deep  attention  and  respect;  and  after  a 
short  pause  reminded  him  of  his  presence  by  remark 
ing,  "  Thy  prayers  and  mine,  O  my  brother,  have 
been  answered.  He  that  brought  our  fathers  out  of 
Egypt,  and  turned  the  captivity  of  Judah,  has  broken 
thy  fetters  and  put  thine  accusers  to  shame." 

"  The  Lord  hath  indeed  led  me  in  paths  I  have  not 
known,  my  brother,"  said  Paul,  recovering  somewhat 
from  his  abstraction.  "  Oftentimes  I  purposed  to 
come  to  Rome  that  I  might  have  some  fruit  here  as 
among  other  Gentiles.  I  desired  to  come  as  a  free 
man  in  Christ ;  but  bonds  awaited  me  both  at 
Jerusalem  and  Csesarea,  and  it  was  as  a  prisoner, 
having  passed  through  narrow  straits,  that  I  came  to 
Rome,  yet  what  was  suffering  to  me  caused  the 
gospel  the  more  to  abound.  Therefore  I  rejoice  in 
my  bonds  and  give  continual  thanks  to  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  because  of  the  hope 
laid  up  in  heaven  for  many  who  have  heard  my 
preaching." 

While  Paul  was  speaking  Rebekah,  accompanied 
by  a  young  man  about  twenty -five  years  of  age, 
ascended  to  the  roof.  The  high,  narrow  forehead ; 
the  cold  but  vigilant  eyes ;  the  aquiline  nose ;  and 
the  thin,  straight  lips  of  the  stranger  declared  him  a 
Roman.  His  stalwart  form,  firm  step,  and  shining 
armor  betrayed  his  calling ;  and  his  short  tunic, 
together  with  certain  letters  on  the  crest  of  his 
helmet,  pronounced  him  to  be  the  commander  of  one 
of  the  Praetorian  bands.  His  handsome  but  sunburnt 


20  Mebekah. 

face,  and  winning  manners  were  a  fit  complement  to 
the  comeliness  of  the  maiden  at  his  side. 

Paul  and  Herodion  became  aware  that  they  were  not 
alone  only  when  the  merry  voice  of  Rebekah  apprised 
them  of  the  fact.  Then  they  arose  to  greet  the  new 
comers. 

"  Peace  be  unto  thee,  O  Priscus,  and  to  thee,  my 
sister's  daughter,"  said  Paul,  his  face  glowing  with 
pleasure. 

"Peace  to  thee,  O  centurion,  and  a  hearty  wel 
come  to  my  house,"  was  Herodion's  cordial  greeting. 

"  Though  in  the  service  of  Mars,  as  my  appearance 
plainly  shows,  I  most  gladly  ac'cept  and  return  your 
salutation,"  said  Priscus,  as  he  accepted  the  seat 
offered  him  by  his  host. 

"  Where  should  peace  find  a  home  if  not  among 
friends  ?  Thou,  good  Paul,  hast  no  reason  to  be  at 
peace  with  the  Palatine,  nor  indeed  with  Rome  ;  but 
it  were  painful  to  me  to  learn  that  the  bond  of  our 
friendship  was  cut  asunder  with  thy  fetters.  May 
the  day  never  dawn  when  thou  shalt  have  cause  to 
regret  thy  acquaintance  with  Julius  Priscus." 

"  It  shall  never  be  said  that  Paul  had  a  quarrel  with 
that  name,"  replied  the  apostle,  "  were  it  only  for 
thy  father's  sake.  And  God  forbid  that  I,  a  servant 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  should  cherish  enmity 
against  the  Praetorian  guards,  and  especially  against 
thee,  who  wast  never  ashamed  to  visit  me  in  my 
bonds,  and  to  pour  the  oil  of  kindness  into  the  wound 
of  my  affliction." 

"  My  father  never  fails  to  make  honorable  mention 
of  thy  name  as  his  wise  counselor  during  that  long 
and  perilous  voyage  on  the  Mediterranean." 

"  And  I  would  be  unworthy  of  my  Master  were  I 
ever  to  forget  that  valiant  soldier  to  whom  more 
than  an}'-  other  man  I  owe  my  life.  Once,  when  the 
sailors  were  about  to  desert  the  ship,  and  again  when 
the  soldiers  counseled  thy  father  to  slay  the  prisoners, 
did  he  assert  his  authority  in  our  behalf.  May  the 
God  of  peace  and  love  bless  him  out  of  the  abundance 


The  Soldier  and  the  Apostle.  21 

of  his  mercy  and  grace.  While  I  am  thus  minded  of 
my  indebtedness  to  him,  it  gives  me  no  little  pleasure 
to  see  that  thou  bearest  the  semblance  of  his  soul  as 
well  as  his  body.  But  I  would  to  God  that  not  only 
thy  father,  but  thou  also  be  fully  persuaded  to  follow 
Christ." 

"  Thou  must  know  that  to  a  Roman  religion  is  of 
less  importance  than  law.  We  have  many  Gods; 
but  little  godliness.  We  worship  valor,  glory,  power, 
and  beauty  more  than  prayer,  faith,  and  dogmas. 
Temples  are  less  attractive  to  us  than  the  palsestrse 
and  the  arena.  Think  it  not  strange,  then,  when  I 
tell  thee  that  what  strengthens  thy  faith  produces 
doubts  and  questionings  in  me.  Thy  patience  and 
devotion,  good  friend,  have  appealed  with  more 
force  to  my  heart  than  thy  arguments.  It  is  for 
thee  to  hope  that  thy  good  example  may  sometime 
lead  me  to  feel  the  truth  of  thy  teaching." 

"  While  you  love  not  our  religion,  you  surely  do 
not  despise  it,"  modestly  remarked  Rebekah. 

"  A  man  would  be  a  brute  to  despise  a  religion 
which  has  such  noble  advocates,"  Priscus  replied. 

Paul  admired  the  frankness  of  the  centurion,  and 
realized  that  his  training  and  surroundings  were  a 
great  hindrance  to  his  conversion.  Yet  he  felt  cer 
tain  that  Priscus  was  much  nearer  the  kingdom  than 
he  had  been.  He  also  perceived  where  the  chief 
difficulty  lay;  therefore,  reverting  to  one  of  the 
centurion's  remarks,  he  said, 

"  Thou  saidst  that  Romans  give  the  supreme  place 
to  law  rather  than  religion ;  and  yet  what  is  religion 
but  law  ?  It  is  God's  law  written  in  the  constitution 
of  man.  You  have  temples  ;  why  were  they  built? 
Is  it  not  because  even  in  Rome  men  cannot  wholly 
ignore  the  presence  of  this  law?  The  power  and 
wisdom  of  God  are  clearly  seen  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world,  being  understood  by  the  things  that  are 
made  ;  yet  men  have  forsaken  the  glory  of  the  im 
perishable  God  for  idols  graven  in  the  likeness  of 
perishable  men,  or  of  birds  and  beasts,  and  creeping 


22  Eebekah. 

things.  Conscience  approves  whatsoever  is  true, 
just,  pure  and  of  good  report;  but  men  pervert  their 
consciences,  keeping  down  the  truth  by  the  wicked 
ness  of  their  lives.  Thus  what  should  be  the  highest 
law  of  man  is  changed  into  a  violation  of  that  law, 
and  men  call  it  religion.  Is  it  strange,  then,  that 
Romans  prefer  law  to  religion  ?  And  what  is  it  ye 
call  law?  The  traditions  and  commandments  of 
men.  Upon  what  is  it  founded  ?  Love  ?  Would  a 
law  founded  on  love  fill  the  houses  and  streets  of 
Rome  with  beings,  who,  though  possessing  the  pas 
sions  and  attractions  of  men,  are  stripped  of  all  the 
moral  obligations  of  a  human  being  ?  Or  degrade  a 
creature  made  in  the  image  of  God  to  the  level  of  a 
beast?  Or  give  a  husband  the  power  of  life  and 
death  over  his  wife  ?  Or  sanction  the  maiming  and 
exposure  of  children  ?  Or  approve  the  cruelties  of 
the  arena  ?  The  law  of  which  Rome  boasts  is  the 
expressed  will  of  the  strong,  the  ambitious,  and  the 
lustful.  Good  Priscus,  the  religion  which  I  offer 
thee  is  founded  and  tried  by  God  in  the  flesh;  and 
the  law  which  Christians  obey  is  founded  on  love 
and  justice,  being  partial  to  none  and  binding  on  all." 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  feelings  of  Priscus 
while  listening  to  these  words.  He  realized  that 
what  Paul  said  was  confirmed  by  his  pure,  devoted 
life.  On  the  other  hand  he  had  been  taught  to  re 
gard  slaves  as  mere  property,  and  the  exposure  of 
children,  and  gladiatorial  shows  as  perfectly  right. 
Could  it  be  possible  that  Rome  with  all  her  power 
and  splendor  was  guilty  of  so  much  error  and  wrong  ? 
He  could  not  refute  the  apostle's  argument,  nor  was 
he  prepared  to  accept  it.  Therefore,  he  simply  re 
marked  that  the  ideas  just  presented  were  new  to 
him,  and  that  he  would  give  them  a  thoughtful  con 
sideration. 

While  Paul  was  speaking,  Rebekah,  although  pre 
tending  to  be  more  interested  in  something  she  saw 
on  the  Palatine  than  in  the  apostle's  words,  stole 
frequent  glances  at  the  centurion's  face,  that  she 


Rome  in  Flames.  23 

might  catch  a  glimpse  of  his  thoughts.  While  she 
had  not  known  him  long  she  found  it  very  pleasant 
to  be  in  his  company,  and  felt  an  intense  desire  for 
his  conversion.  Having  received  a  Christian  train 
ing  she  had  none  of  that  abhorrence  of  Romans 
which  characterized  the  unchristian  Jews,  and  having 
always  lived  in  Rome  she  had  learned  to  see  many 
noble  qualities  in  her  pagan  acquaintances.  Her 
father  also  had  lost  much  of  the  prejudice  he  had 
against  Rome  in  earlier  years,  as  a  result  of  his 
Christian  growth  and  intercourse  with  the  people. 
He  had  met  Priscus  more  frequently  than  had  his 
daughter,  and  gradually  had  come  to  regard  him  as 
a  dear  friend,  chiefly  on  account  of  his  kind  treat 
ment  of  Paul.  On  the  whole,  then,  the  present 
interview  was  far  more  agreeable  to  all  than  one 
might  at  first  think. 

After  Priscus's  last  remark  the  conversation  took  a 
general  turn,  and  at  the  usual  hour  the  friendly 
group  descended  to  the  triclinium  to  partake  of  the 
evening  meal. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ROME    IN   FLAMES. 

"  DIDST  thou  say  it  is  four  weeks  since  my  uncle's 
departure,  Hagar  ?  So  it  is.  How  rapidly  time  flies  !  " 

"  Then  thou  hast  changed  thy  mind.  When  thy 
uncle  was  a  prisoner  on  yonder  hill,  thou  thoughtest 
that  time's  wings  must  have  been  clipped." 

"  It  is  a  woman's  privilege  to  change  her  mind  as 
often  as  she  pleases — a  privilege  to  which  even  Hagar 
the  Egyptian  is  not  an  entire  stranger.  Besides,  thou 
knowest  that  the  circumstances  have  changed.  My 
uncle  is  no  longer  in  fetters,  and  anxiety  has  ceased 
to  prey  upon  my  thoughts." 

"  I  know  that  thy  uncle  is  free,  and  God  grant  that 
he  never  again  fall  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 


24  Helekah. 

But  I  fear  that  his  niece  has  become  fettered  in  his 
stead." 

"  Ha,  ha  !  what  strange  notions  have  taken  posses 
sion  of  thee  of  late,  Hagar  ?  If  happiness  is  a  proof  of 
freedom,  I  never  was  more  free." 

"  And  if  blushes  have  a  meaning,  thine  prove  that 
what  I  say  is  true.  Besides,  how  often  have  I  found 
thee  reclining  on  that  divan  and  gazing  at  the  Prse- 
torium  as  though  no  place  in  Rome  were  half  so  fair 
or  pleasant.  And  when  that  centurion  comes  here, 
which  he  does  far  too  often  to  please  me  of  late,  thou, 
little  hypocrite,  triest  to  make  him  believe  that  thou 
dost  welcome  him  because  of  what  he  has  done  and 
not  because  of  what  he  is.  His  kindness  to  thy  uncle 
is  too  thin  a  cloak  for  such  warm  friendship  as  yours." 

Thus  Hagar  spoke  in  answer  to  Rebekah,  as  she  sat 
beside  her  on  the  house-top.  Having  had  the  care  of 
her  young  mistress  since  she  was  a  child,  she  spoke  to 
her  with  the  utmost  freedom.  Her  opposition  to  the 
intimacy  existing  between  her  and  Priscus  the  centu 
rion  was  more  apparent  than  real,  however,  although 
she  was  strongly  prejudiced  against  the  Praetorian 
guards.  As  she  uttered  the  closing  sentence  her  at 
tention  was  attracted  by  a  huge  column  of  smoke  as 
cending  from  the  valley  lying  between  the  Palatine 
and  Cselian  hills ;  at  first  she  and  Rebekah  regarded  it 
only  with  curiosity,  but  the  rapid  increase  of  the 
smoke  and  the  alarm  that  was  sounded  through  the 
whole  city  soon  awakened  their  apprehension.  As 
the  fire  spread  along  the  valley  and  up  the  hills  on 
either  side,  excitement  ran  high,  and  such  of  the  in 
habitants  as  were  not  helping  to  crowd  the  narrow 
streets,  stood  watching  the  progress  of  destruction 
from  the  house-tops.  The  flames  were  irresistible, 
and  it  soon  became  manifest  that  the  whole  city  was 
in  their  power. 

"  If  thou  must  go,  do  not  stay  long,  nor  expose  thy 
self  to  danger,"  said  Rebekah  to  her  father  as  he  was 
about  to  return  to  his  place  of  business  after  a  short 
Visit  home  to  assure  his  daughter  of  his  safety. 


Rome  in  Flames.  25 

"  Thou  art  the  greatest  treasure  I  have  on  earth, 
my  child,"  was  the  reply.  "  Yet  as  thou  art  not  in 
immediate  danger  it  is  necessary  that  I  should  try  to 
save  my  goods.  I  will  be  back  as  soon  as  possible ; 
in  the  meantime  God  watch  over  us  all." 

While  Herodion  made  his  way  through  the  crowded 
streets  to  the  business  part  at  the  northern  base  of  the 
Palatine,  Rebekah  with  Hagar  and  another  domestic 
stood  watching  the  fire.  Most  of  the  miserable  wood 
en  structures  occupied  by  the  poorer  classes  were 
already  in  ashes,  and  the  flames  were  now  spreading 
among  the  palaces  of  the  great  and  the  temples  of  the 
gods.  At  last  the  demon  of  destruction  reached  the 
Aventine,  after  raging  in  the  other  parts  for  two  days 
and  two  nights.  The  night  of  the  third  day  under 
ordinary  circumstances  would  have  been  considered 
dark ;  but  the  myriads  of  flames  that  were  ascending 
in  all  parts  of  the  city  would  have  made  it  compara 
tively  easy  to  discern  objects  on  the  farthest  hills  had 
it  not  been  for  the  thick  clouds  of  smoke  that  every 
where  burdened  the  atmosphere.  The  confusion  of 
noises  arid  horrid  spectacles  which  accompanied  this 
awe-inspiring  scene  taxed  the  nerves  of  the  strongest 
constitution.  An  unusual  flash,  accompanied  by  a 
cloud  of  sparks  and  followed  by  a  fearful  crash,  caused 
Rebekah,  who  together  with  the  domestics  was 
again  on  the  house-top,  to  look  towards  the  northern 
base  of  the  Palatine,  and  to  exclaim,  "  O  Hagar,  I  fear 
all  is  not  well  with  my  father !  would  to  God  he  had 
barkened  to  my  supplications  !  But  it  would  be  very 
unlike  him  to  sacrifice  his  own  life  and  the  happiness 
of  his  daughter  to  save  his  goods." 

"  Be  of  good  comfort,  my  child  ;  the  son  of  Eleazar 
is  too  familiar  with  wisdom  to  fall  a  prey  to  indiscre 
tion,"  was  Hagar' s  consoling  remark.  Then  after  a 
short  pause  she  cried  excitedly, "  Look  !  look  I  "  point 
ing  to  a  volume  of  fire  and  smoke  breaking  through 
the  roof  of  a  house  to  the  right. 

"  I  see,"  said  Rebekah,  a  deadly  pallor  over-spread 
ing  her  face.  "  The  angel  of  death  is  fast  approaching. 


26  Rebekah. 

No  earthly  power  can  stay  his  course.  No  tears  can 
quench  his  flaming  breath ;  no  prayer  can  abate  his 
fury.  Hark !  O  God,  have  mercy  on  those  whose 
agonizing  cries  pierce  our  hearts !  " 

"  O  mistress,  let  us  flee  to  a  place  of  refuge,"  ex 
claimed  the  other  domestic  in  terror. 

"  Where  wilt  thou  go  ?  seest  thou  not  that  we  are 
encompassed  by  walls  of  fire,  and  that  hundreds  are 
trampled  to  death  under  the  feet  of  the  maddened 
crowds  which  block  the  lanes  and  streets  ?  No,  no ; 
if  we  must  perish  let  it  be  here,  where  the  God  of  our 
fathers  has  gladdened  our  hearts  in  bygone  days,  and 
where  my  beloved  father  loves  to  dwell.  O,  that  he 
were  here  now,  or  that  I  might  know  that  he  still 
lives  and  is  praying  for  us !  " 

During  this  conversation  a  man  cautiously  entered 
the  court-yard  through  the  door  leading  from  the 
street,  which  the  servants  in  their  excitement  had 
neglected  to  fasten.  Creeping  stealthily  to  the  far 
thest  end  he  ascended  the  stair-way  to  the  upper  story, 
and  apprehending  no  cause  for  alarm,  passed  into  the 
house,  shortly  he  reappeared  on  the  veranda  at  the 
foot  of  the  stairway  leading  to  the  roof,  and  pouring 
oil  on  the  wood-work,  he  again  disappeared.  Coming 
out  the  second  time  with  a  small  casket  under  his  arm, 
his  shadow  was  cast  on  the  opposite  wall  by  a  glaring 
light  from  the  interior  of  the  house.  Reaching  the 
veranda  he  applied  his  torch  to  it  and  to  the  upper 
stairway,  and  descended  noiselessly  to  the  court.  As 
he  glanced  over  his  shoulder  the  flames  revealed  a 
devilish  smile  on  his  face ;  and  as  he  emerged  from 
the  outer  passage  into  the  narrow  street,  he  muttered 
something  about  an  additional  cause  of  delight  to 
Caesar  and  a  fortune  for  himself. 

All  this  had  passed  unobserved  by  Rebekah  and  the 
servants,  they  being  too  absorbed  in  the  grand  but 
awful  scene  before  them  to  apprehend  their  own  im 
mediate  danger.  The  collapse  of  a  house  a  few  blocks 
in  front  of  them  sent  a  cloud  of  sparks  into  the  air, 
and  caused  cold  chills  to  pass  through  them  all. 


Rome  in  Flames.  27 

"  Ah,"  said  Rebekah  with  a  trembling  voice,  "  how 
terrible  !  Another  home  sacrificed  to  the  flames  !  and 
that  bitter  wail  declares  the  entrance  of  more  victims 
into  the  valley  of  death.  O  Rome  !  Rome  !  thy  days 
are  numbered.  The  measure  of  thy  iniquity  is  full. 
Like  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  thou  shalt  be  a  perpetual 
desolation/'  Then  after  a  short  pause  she  continued, 
"  Would  that  my  father  and  we  were  as  safe  as  Lot  and 
his  daughters  were  !  " 

By  this  time  the  fire  had  spread  into  that  part  of 
the  house  over  which  they  stood,  and  Hagar,  feeling 
the  roof  becoming  hot  under  her  bare  feet,  gave  a  sud 
den  jump  ;  then  turning  around  and  seeing  the  flames 
ascending  from  the  veranda  and  creeping  up  the  stair 
way,  she  exclaimed  with  indescribable  terror, "  O 
mistress,  mistress !  the  house  is  on  fire  ! " 

"  What  house  ?  "  said  Rebekah  catching  her  tone. 
Then  wringing  her  hands,  she  cried  in  agony,  "  O 
Lord  Jesus,  have  mercy  on  us,  for  we  perish  !  "  and 
dropped  to  the  floor  insensible. 

The  excitement  of  the  day  had  made  it  impossible 
for  her  to  bear  the  shock  she  now  received.  Hagar  for 
the  moment  forgot  her  own  danger  in  her  solicitude 
for  her  mistress  ;  but  the  other  domestic  was  frenzied 
by  the  sight  of  the  flames.  In  her  mad  flight  from 
side  to  side  in  quest  of  a  way  of  escape  she  ventured 
too  near  the  fire,  and  with  flaming  garments  she  ran 
like  a  maniac  screaming  and  wailing  alternately,  and 
leaped  in  her  terror  over  the  battlements  into  the 
court  below,  where  death  soon  ended  her  suffering. 
Hagar  had  just  lifted  Rebekah  from  the  hot  flqpr  to 
a  divan,  when  she  saw  the  burning  figure  disappear. 
Ah,  it  was  a  horrible  sight !  Is  it  any  wonder  that 
she  hid  her  face  and  staggered?  Her  heart  was 
sickened  at  the  thought  of  her  companion's  fate  and 
of  the  imminent  danger  she  and  her  mistress  were  in. 
Kneeling  beside  the  unconscious  Rebekah  she  kissed 
her,  and  with  suppressed,  hysterical  sobs  she  fanned 
her  face. 

The  fire  which  crept  up  the  stairway  had  now 


28  Rebekah. 

nearly  reached  the  roof,  and  she  knew  the  moment  it 
touched  it,  its  spread  would  be  instantaneous.  The 
increasing  heat  of  the  roof  also  led  her  to  expect  a 
sudden  burst  of  flames  from  the  room  below.  The 
noise  and  confusion  of  the  gathering  crowds  in  the 
street,  and  the  shouts  of  hundreds  of  men  and  women 
from  the  neighboring  house-tops  tended  to  increase 
her  excitement.  She  could  see  no  way  of  escape. 
An  alley  separated  Herodion's  house  from  that  of 
the  nearest  neighbor  on  the  south.  The  house  ad 
joining  on  the  north  was  a  three-storied  structure. 
Hence  its  height  was  a  barrier  against  escape  in  that 
direction  without  assistance. 

While  these  facts  and  a  thousand  others  seemed  to 
rush  through  Hagar's  mind,  a  familiar  voice  from  the 
terrace  above  startled  her  with  the  cry,  "  Turn  thee 
aside  quick,  my  Hagar."  As  she  obeyed  a  ladder 
touched  the  roof  at  her  feet,  and  the  next  moment 
Prisons  stood  before  her.  Seeing  Rebekah's  pale 
face  as  she  lay  in  unconsciousness,  a  dreadful  thought 
possessed  him,  and  he  exclaimed,  "  Too  late  !  too 
late  !  " 

"  No,  no ;  "  cried  Hagar,  "  it  is  not  too  late,  O 
centurion.  God  be  praised  for  sending  thee  to  save 
us.  But  let  us  hasten,  or  we  may  all  perish.  See  ! 
see !  the  flames  have  reached  the  roof.  A  moment 
more,  and  we  are  lost !  " 

"  Get  thee  up  the  ladder,  woman,"  said  Priscus 
sternly  as  he  lifted  Rebekah  in  his  strong  arms. 

"  Shall  I  desert  my  master's  child  ?  The  Lord  do 
so  and  much  more  to  Hagar,  if  I  see  not  Rebekah  in 
safety  ere  I  leave  the  roof." 

"  I  commend  thy  devotion  to  thy  mistress ;  but  it 
may  prove  fatal  to  thee,"  replied  the  centurion  as  he 
ascended  the  ladder  with  his  precious  burden.  The 
heat  by  this  time  was  almost  unbearable ;  but  after  a 
hard  struggle,  he  reached  the  top  in  safety,  and  laid 
Rebekah  on  a  rug  in  the  corner  of  the  roof  farthest 
from  the  fire.  As  he  bent  over  her  a  terrible  scream 
attracted  his  attention  to  the  head  of  the  ladder,  and 


Rome  in  Flames.  29 

he  saw  Hagar  all  aflame  falling  backward  into  the 
furnace  of  destruction.  Rushing  as  near  the  end  of 
the  terrace  as  he  dared,  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  her 
charred  form  as  it  disappeared  through  a  burning 
gap  in  the  roof.  "  Poor  Hagar  !  hadst  thou  heeded 
my  command,  this  horrible  fate  might  have  been 
averted,"  was  his  sorrowful  remark  as  he  wiped  a 
tear  from  his  eye.  Steps  just  then  announced  the 
arrival  of  a  newcomer. 

"Where  is  my  child!  Tell  me  for  God's  sake 
where  my  beloved  daughter  is,"  said  Herodion,  run 
ning  to  meet  the  centurion  as  he  returned  to  where 
Rebekah  lay. 

"  Would  that  all  who  have  suffered  since  this 
calamity  began  were  as  safe  as  thy  daughter,"  Priscus 
replied  as  he  pointed  to  her. 

"  Thou  mockest  me  ;  she  is  dead  !  " 

"  No ;  but  insensible  ;  she  will  soon  revive." 

"  God  be  praised !  But  how  came  she  here  ?  Ah 
I  need  not  ask  that  question.  God  bless  thee,  noble 
friend,  and  may  I  live  to  reward  thee,"  were  Hero- 
dion's  hurried  remarks  as  he  stooped  to  kiss  his 
daughter.  Then  looking  around  with  renewed  ter 
ror  he  inquired,  "  Where  are  the  servants  ?  where  is 
Hagar?" 

The  centurion  explained  all  that  he  had  seen  ;  but 
was  unable  to  tell  what  had  become  of  the  one  that 
had  perished  before  he  came.  Herodion's  whole 
frame  was  convulsed  with  emotion  as  he  listened  to 
what  was  said,  for,  unlike  the  Roman  masters,  he 
loved  his  domestics,  and  especially  Hagar. 

The  house  upon  which  they  stood  belonged  to  a 
rich  Jew  who  together  with  his  family  was  absent  on 
a  visit  to  Puteoli,  and  the  servants  who  had  charge 
of  the  house  were  among  the  crowds  who  blocked 
the  streets,  utterly  unconscious  of  the  danger  which 
threatened  their  master's  property.  This,  then,  with 
the  height  of  the  house,  accounts  for  the  fact  that 
the  centurion  found  the  terrace  deserted  when  he 
arrived. 


30  Rebekah. 

Amidst  a  shower  of  sparks  Herodion  assisted  by 
Priscus  bore  the  unconscious  maiden  down  to  the 
court-yard.  Then  the  centurion  entered  the  house, 
and  returned  soon  after  with  a  bottle  of  wine. 

Meanwhile  Rebekah  had  been  restored  to  con 
sciousness  by  the  application  of  water  from  a  fountain 
near  by,  and  a  few  draughts  of  the  wine  had  a  salu 
tary  effect  upon  her  nerves.  The  shock  which  she 
had  received  produced  no  serious  results,  her  tem 
porary  insensibility  proving  a  blessing  to  her  in  that  it 
prevented  her  from  sharing  the  fate  of  the  others. 
As  we  recall  her  anxiety  for  her  father  previous  to 
the  discovery  of  her  danger,  we  can  imagine  her 
delight  at  seeing  him  now  by  her  side.  The  smile  of 
recognition  with  which  she  greeted  Priscus  also 
showed  that  his  presence  was  not  disagreeable  to  her. 
But  her  delight  was  soon  banished  by  a  recollection 
of  the  dreadful  scene  which  had  overcome  her,  and 
this  led  to  questions  concerning  the  fate  of  the  ser 
vants,  and  the  rescue  of  herself.  But  her  father, 
fearing  an  attack  of  nervous  prostration,  evaded 
every  question,  promising  a  full  explanation  as  soon 
as  a  place  of  refuge  was  reached.  Although  this,  in 
stead  of  satisfying  her  curiosity,  led  her  to  suspect 
the  truth,  yet  she  tried  to  dismiss  the  subject  and 
asked, 

"  Where  shall  we  go,  dear  father,  now  that  we 
have  no  home  ?  " 

44  If  agreeable  to  you,"  said  Priscus,  anticipating 
Herodion,  "  my  sister's  house,  like  her  heart,  is  open 
to  receive  you." 

"  The  centurion  ceased  not  to  be  generous  when 
thy  uncle  departed,  my  child,  as  thou  seest.  May 
his  peace  flow  like  a  river,"  said  Herodion. 

"May  the  God  who  has  preserved  us  this  night 
reward  you  for  your  kindness,  and  make  the  house 
of  your  sister  like  the  house  of  Rachel,"  said  Rebekah 
fervently.  Then  she  declared  herself  able  to  walk 
by  the  assistance  of  her  father,  and  Priscus  led  the 
way  through  a  small  door  into  a  narrow  lane,  and 


Seeking  a  Place  of  Refuge.  31 

descended  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  in  a  northerly  direc 
tion.  It  was  through  that  same  door  that  Priscus 
and  Herodiou  had  entered,  thus  avoiding  the  crowds. 


CHAPTER  V. 

SEEKING  A  PLACE  OF  EEFUGE. 

THERE  are  times  when  the  mind  is  too  absorbed 
in  its  own  reflections  to  think  of  communicating  them 
to  others.  This  was  true  of  the  trio  that  we  saw 
entering  the  alley  in  the  preceding  chapter.  He- 
rodion,  though  not  an  avaricious  man,  was  almost 
overwhelmed  by  the  heavy  losses  which  the  fire  caused 
him.  The  fate  of  Hagar  and  the  unaccountable  dis 
appearance  of  the  other  servant  also  weighed  heavily 
on  his  heart.  Like  many  others  who  have  found 
themselves  in  similar  circumstances,  he  could  hardly 
realize  that  "  all  things  work  together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  God."  Rebekah's  mind  was  busily 
engaged  in  reviewing  the  happy  scenes  and  expe 
riences  associated  with  the  only  home  she  had  ever 
known,  and  in  deploring  the  dreadful  calamity  which 
had  just  overtaken  her  father's  household.  Priscus, 
being  a  Roman,  thought  of  the  grand  historical  edi 
fices  and  monuments  which  had  been  laid  waste,  as 
well  as  of  the  sad  misfortune  of  his  Jewish  friends. 
They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  they  were 
startled  from  their  abstraction  by  an  unusual  flash, 
and  turning  suddenly  they  saw  a  volume  of  fire  and 
smoke  ascending  from  the  house  of  the  rich  Jew. 
They  paused  but  a  .moment,  then  as  they  resumed 
their  journey  Herodion  remarked, 

"  Whence  those  flames  originated  is  no  mystery. 
But,  my  daughter,  seest  thou  nothing  strange  in  the 
destruction  of  our  home  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear  father.  It  was  so  unexpected.  We 
boasted  not  of  safety ;  yet  we  feared  no  present  dan 
ger.  The  wind  was  our  friend ;  though  myriads  of 


32  Eebekah. 

sparks  filled  the  air,  none  came  near  us.  Nor  was 
the  house  lighted.  Yet  that  the  fire  came  from  below 
I  dare  not  doubt.  That  oil  had  been  freely  used  is 
plain,  for  the  spread  of  the  flames  was  very  rapid." 

"Heard  you  no  noise;  saw  you  no  form?"  anx 
iously  inquired  Herodion  as  they  passed  between 
blackened  masses  of  ruins  out  of  which  thick  columns 
of  smoke  still  rose. 

"  None,  except  distant  cries  and  desolation.  Our 
danger  stole  upon  us  like  a  lion  upon  his  prey." 

"  Ah !  thy  testimony,  though  too  weak  a  foundation 
for  certainty,  is  strong  enough  for  suspicion.  Good 
Priscus,  hast  thou  heard  that  the  spread  of  destruc 
tion  has  boen  aided  by  torches  ?  " 

"  The  report  is  on  every  tongue,  except  that  of  the 
dumb,"  said  the  centurion  as  he  reached  for  some 
thing  under  the  porch  of  a  ruined  house  directly 
above  the  Circus  Maximus.  Then  handing  a  small 
casket  to  Herodion,  he  added,  "  Knowest  thou  this  ?  " 

One  glance  sufficed  to  convince  Herodion  that  it 
was  his  own,  and  with  a  voice  trembling  with  emo 
tion  he  exclaimed, 

"  God  be  praised !  this  indeed  is  a  strange  provi 
dence.  My  home  is  gone ;  my  stock  of  goods  is  in 
ashes;  but  God  has  graciously  preserved  for  me  a 
most  valuable  treasure.  Here  are  thy  mother's 
jewels,  my  daughter.  I  need  not  tell  thee  that  they 
are  precious  to  me.  She  whose  they  once  were  is 
with  the  Lord ;  but  her  comeliness  still  lingers  among 
these.  When  I  look  at  them  my  Sarah  seems  to 
stand  before  me  again  in  all  her  youthful  loveliness 
and  grace.  Ah  !  how  my  heart  ached  when  I  thought 
them  lost."  Then  turning  to  the  centurion  he  con 
tinued, 

"  Noble  Priscus,  thou  hast  my  most  sincere  thanks 
for  this  additional  evidence  of  thy  kindness.  If 
I  live  not  to  reward  thee,  I  trust  the  God  of  love 
will  remember  thee.  But  tell  me,  good  friend,  whence 
came  this  casket  to  thee  ?  " 


Seeking  a  Place  of  Refuge.  33 

"  It  came  not,  but  was  taken  from  the  hand  of  a 
slave.  Knowest  thou  Demetrius  ?  " 

"  One  of  Caesar's  slaves  ?  "  asked  Herodion. 

"  The  same,"  answered  Priscus.  "  Wouldst  thou 
trust  thy  life  to  him  ?  " 

"  I  had  rather  take  it  with  my  own  hand." 

"  The  flame  which  destroyed  thy  home  was  kindled 
by  his  torch." 

"  God  have  mercy  on  his  soul !  Didst  thou  learn 
this  from  his  own  lips  ?  " 

"From  his  lips  and  from  his  hands,  for  he  both 
confessed  and  handed  me  the  casket." 

"  A  veritable  son  of  Belial !  The  Lord  forgive 
him,  and  teach  him  better  employment." 

"Where  did  you  meet  him?"  eagerly  asked  Re- 
bekah. 

"  Ay,  where  ?  "  echoed  Herodion.  "  I  forgot  to 
ask  thee  that." 

"  Between  the  circus  and  the  Palatine  bridge,  as 
I  was  coming  to  your  assistance.  The  wretch !  his 
courage  died  at  the  sight  of  my  sword." 

"  Had  he  companions,"  again  asked  Rebekah. 

"  None ;  nor  did  he  desire  any,  for  he  avoided  the 
crowds.  When  the  avaricious  finds  gold  he  wants  no 
company." 

"  Nor  does  the  prudent  desire  to  have  other  eyes 
than  his  own  see  where  it  is  hid,"  was  the  significant 
reply. 

They  were  now  in  full  view  of  the  circus,  the 
remains  of  whose  towers  and  columns,  as  their  dim 
outline  appeared  in  the  light  of  the  burning  city,  sent 
a  pang  to  the  heart  of  the  centurion.  Like  the  true 
Roman  that  he  was,  he  was  greatly  attached  to  the 
popular  resorts  and  games.  For  Herodion  and  his 
daughter,  however,  these  things  had  no  fascination, 
because  they  were  pagan  institutions.  After  walk 
ing  in  silence  for  a  moment,  Priscus  said, 

"  This  indeed  is  a  sad  day  for  Rome.  Many  of  her 
masterpieces  of  art,  relics  of  national  glory,  and  mon 
uments  of  memorable  events  are  already  in  ashes,  and 


34  Eebekah. 

the  rest  soon  will  be.  Most  of  them,  doubtless,  will 
be  replaced  with  more  gorgeous  structures ;  but  the 
Ara  Maxima,  the  shrine  of  Vesta  with  the  house 
hold  gods  of  our  people  and  the  trophies  of  grand 
victories,  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Stattr,  the  temple 
of  Luna,  the  palace  of  Numa,  and  I  might  add  this 
grand  old  circus,  can  never  be  replaced.  There  is 
hardly  anything  left  to  remind  future  generations  of 
the  days  of  the  Republic." 

"  What  you  say  is  true,  no  doubt,"  said  Eebekah ; 
"but  I  shall  miss  none  of  these  magnificent  buildings 
so  much  as  the  circus.  Not  that  I  ever  witnessed  or 
was  in  love  with  any  of  the  games  connected  with  it ; 
but  because  I  have  so  often  looked  down  upon  its 
large  porticoes,  above  which  the  bakers  and  fruit-ven 
ders  were  always  busy  serving  the  crowds." 

"  And  I — thou  wilt  pardon  me,  for  saying  it,  my 
Prisons — "  remarked  Herodion,  "  shall  miss  that  small 
but  sacred  building  in  which  my  beloved  brother 
Paul  was  so  long  imprisoned,  more  than  all  the  mag 
nificent  structures  of  Rome." 

"  I  blame  thee  not  for  feeling  as  thou  dost,  for  I 
also  had  learned  to  regard  it  as  sacred,"  said  the  cen 
turion.  u  But  as  a  Roman  I  cannot  but  mourn  the 
loss  of  so  much  that  was  valuable  and  sacred  to  my 
people." 

"  When  I  spoke  of  the  circus,"  explained  Rebekah, 
fearing  lest  her  companions  should  have  the  impression 
that  she  cared  nothing  for  that  for  which  they  had  so 
much  regard,  "  I  was  thinking  of  the  public  build 
ings.  But  as  regards  private  buildings,  I  shall  miss 
nothing  so  much  as  my  uncle's  former  prison-house, 
except  our  home." 

Here  she  glanced  over  her  shoulder,  and  saw  the 
summit  of  the  Aventine  all  aflame,  while  a  few  tears 
trickled  down  over  her  cheeks.  During  the  conversa 
tion  the  trio  had  passed  the  Circus  Maximus,  and 
were  now  opposite  the  ruins  of  the  palace  of  Caligula 
on  the  right  and  the  temple  of  Jupiter  on  the  left, 
which  rose  above  all  the  magnificent  edifices  on  the 


Seeking  a  Place  of  Refuge.  35 

Capitoline  as  if  conscious  of  its  own  splendor,  and 
defiant  of  the  angel  of  destruction.  Their  course 
thence  led  them  between  the  smoky  ruins  of  Basilica 
Julia  and  the  temple  of  Castor,  and  along  the  sacred 
way,  past  the  blackened  remains  of  the  Forum  Roma- 
num,  until  they  came  to  the  base  of  the  Esquiline 
hill.  Here  they  entered  a  street  leading  to  the  aris 
tocratic  quarter  on  the  western  part  of  the  hill ;  but 
they  found  it  so  crowded  that  it  became  almost 
impossible  for  them  to  make  farther  progress.  Al 
though  the  hour  was  late  there  seemed  to  be  no  end 
to  the  tide  of  humanity  that  filled  the  street.  Those 
going  to  view  the  work  of  destruction  and  those 
returning  were  about  equally  divided,  and  they  kept 
up  a  continual  contest  of  pushing,  elbowing,  and 
swearing. 

"  Not  so  hard,  my  Servius,  not  so  hard,"  cried 
Priscus,  addressing  a  man  who  was  trying  to  squeeze 
by  him. 

"  Halloo !  Priscus,  what  brings  thee  here  at  this 
hour  ?  Does  thy  flesh  hang  so  loose  that  thou  comest 
here  to  be  pressed  ?  Perpol !  this  is  worse  than — 
Hold  there,  thou  knave,  that  is  my  foot !  " 

"  A  word  with  thee,"  said  the  centurion,  leaning 
close  to  Servius's  ear.  "  Thou  knowest  Herodion  the 
Jew?" 

"  Ay,  the  toga  that  these  rascals  are  now  rending 
to  pieces  was  bought  of  him.  But  what  about  him  ?  " 

"  He  and  his  daughter  are  homeless.  Canst  thou 
afford  them  shelter  for  a  few  days  ?" 

"  I  am  no  lover  of — Hercle  !  there  will  be  nothing 
left  of  me  soon — I  have  no  love  to  spare  for  Jews  ; 
but  if  thou  art  in  love  with  the  daughter,  I  will  make 
an  exception  in  this  case.  Where  are  they$s" 

"  Friends,  where  are  you?  "  said  Priscus,  trying  to 
look  around. 

"  Here,  close  behind  you,"  answered  Rebekah. 

"  By  the  girdle  of  Venus,  that  girl's  voice  is 
sweeter  than  Apollo's  music,"  whispered  Servius. 
"  Had  I  not  been  captured  already  by  thy  sister,  I 


36  Hebekah. 

would  make  no  little  effort  to  take  her  away  from 
thee." 

Servius  was  a  man  of  consular  rank,  whose  resi 
dence  stood  in  the  aristocratic  quarter  already  alluded 
to.  Fortunately  for  his  house  as  well  as  many  others, 
the  cliffs  along  the  western  base  of  the  Esquiline  had 
cut  short  the  progress  of  the  flames  in  that  direction. 
When  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the  centurion  he 
was  elbowing  his  way  towards  the  present  seat  of  the 
fire  ;  but  his  unexpected  meeting  with  his  brother- 
in-law  caused  him  to  alter  his  intentions. 

Owing  to  her  exhausted  condition,  Rebekah  was 
glad  to  see  him  at  length  take  an  oblique  course 
towards  a  large  house  of  Roman  architecture  facing 
the  Capitoline.  Priscus  had  made  her  progress  as 
easy  as  possible,  and  he  now  led  her  out  of  the  crowd 
into  a  vestibule  within  a  beautiful  portico  ranging 
with  the  street,  and  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  the 
house. 

"  Are  you  all  here  ?  "  said  Servius,  drawing  a  breath 
of  relief.  Receiving  an  affirmative  answer,  he  gave  a 
loud  knock,  and  the  large  folding-doors  flew  open  as 
if  by  magic,  admitting  the  small  company  into  a  hall 
six  feet  wide  and  nearly  thirty  long,  which  was  paved 
with  tiles  corresponding  in  colors  to  the  paint  on  the 
wall.  On  their  way  to  the  other  end  of  the  passage 
they  walked  over  the  figure  of  a  dog  worked  in  mosaic 
on  the  pavement  near  a  small  door  leading  into  the 
room  of  the  porter.  Here  another  door  flew  open  be 
fore  them,  and  they  passed  into  a  large  apartment, 
the  most  splendid  in  the  house,  which  now  appeared 
to  the  best  advantage  in  the  light  of  the  beautiful 
chandeliers  which  hung  from  the  ceiling  in  various 
parts  of  the  room.  Although  much  exhausted, 
Rebekah's  interest  was  greatly  aroused  by  the  splen 
dor  which  everywhere  met  her  gaze,  and  after  she  had 
been  conducted  to  one  of  the  highly  embroidered 
divans  with  which  the  room  was  furnished,  her  eyes 
wandered  in  amazement  from  one  object  to  another, 
and  she  felt  like  one  in  a  dream.  In  the  centre  of 


Seeking  a  Place  of  Refuge.  37 

the  floor  was  a  cistern,  called  the  impluvium,  orna 
mented  with  statues  and  columns.  Directly  above 
this  was  the  eompluvium,  an  opening  towards  which 
the  roof  sloped  so  as  to  throw  the  rain-water  into  the 
cistern.  A  row  of  highly  ornamented  tiles  edged  the 
roof  around  this  opening,  and  there  were  spouts  in 
the  form  of  lions'  heads  at  the  corners  to  carry  the 
rain-water  into  the  impluvium.  From  these  artistic 
attractions  the  fascinated  maiden  glanced  at  the  floor, 
which  was  paved  with  white  tesserae,  spotted  with 
black,  then  at  the  enchanting  scenes  painted  on  the 
walls.  At  this  juncture  her  observations  were  cut 
short  by  the  entrance  into  the  room  of  the  hostess, 
who  gave  her  and  her  father  a  cordial  welcome  to  the 
shelter  and  hospitality  of  the  house  of  Servius. 

The  lateness  of  the  hour  and  the  wearied  state  of 
the  guests  prevented  extensive  conversation.  Hence 
after  partaking  of  some  light  refreshments  they  were 
soon  allowed  to  retire.  Rebekah  was  led  into  a  small 
guest-chamber  at  the  right  of  the  atrium,  for  that  is 
what  the  large  room  was  called,  and  her  father  was 
conducted  to  a  similar  one  on  the  left. 

When  his  guests  had  retired,  Servius  and  Priscus 
engaged  in  private  conversation  on  a  matter  of  great 
importance. 

"Dost  thou  know,  my  Priscus,  that  CaBsar  is  said 
to  be  responsible  for  this  wholesale  destruction  ? " 
whispered  Servius. 

"  Ay,  but  I  am  not  prepared  to  believe  it.  I  am 
not  a  very  ardent  admirer  of  Nero,  as  thou  knowest ; 
but  I  can  not  see  how  he  could  be  responsible  for  the 
fire  when  he  was  at  Antium,  unless  he  had  entrusted 
the  work  of  destruction  to  certain  of  his  slaves  before 
he  left,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Ah !  that's  it,"  said  Servius,  casting  a  sweeping 
glance  around  the  room.  "  I  have  not  the  least 
doubt  but  that  his  absence  was  a  part  of  his  infernal 
scheme,  designed  to  blind  the  eyes  of  the  people  to 
his  participation  in  the  crime.  What  I  have  heard 
this  evening  has  confirmed  me  in  my  belief." 


38  EebeJcah. 

"  What  hast  thou  heard  ?  " 

"  That  on  returning  to  the  city  a  little  after  sunset 
he  mounted  the  tower  of  Maecenas  in  scenic  dress, 
and  calling  for  his  lyre  he  chanted  the  '  Capture  of 
Ilium '  before  his  applauding  sycophants  !  " 

"  Thou  dost  astonish  me  !  Much  as  I  detest  him,  I 
have  never  thought  him  capable  of  an  act  so  abomi 
nably  wicked.  If  what  thou  hast  heard  be  true,  I 
shall  find  no  difficulty  in  believing  as  thou  dost,  nor 
will  I  oppose  the  speedy  removal  of  such  a  fiend." 

Here  Priscus  took  his  departure,  promising  to  call 
again  soon,  and  Servius  retired. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SIMILARITY  AND  DISSIMILARITY. 

It  took  several  days  for  Rebekah  to  recover  from 
the  effects  of  the  physical  and  mental  strain  which 
she  had  lately  endured.  Meanwhile  the  hostess 
showed  great  consideration  for  her.  She  set  apart 
one  of  her  own  slaves  for  her  exclusive  attendance, 
and  spent  much  time  herself  in  her  company.  She 
explained  to  her  the  mean  ing  of  a  wall-painting  at  the 
foot  of  Rebekah's  bed  representing  a  woman  sitting 
before  a  large,  open  chest  with  a  child  in  her  arms ; 
laughed  when  Rebekah  told  her  that  the  picture  of  a 
sea-nymph  sporting  in  the  waves  had  caused  her 
father  one  night  to  dream  that  she  had  fallen  into  the 
Tiber  and  was  vainly  striving  to  gain  the  shore ;  and 
told  her  many  stories  about  illustrious  Romans. 
When  Rebekah  was  sufficiently  restored  to  wander 
about  the  house,  she  conducted  her  first  to  the 
peristyle,  a  large  court  communicating  with  the 
atrium  through  narrow  passages,  and  open  to  the  sky 
in  the  middle.  As  the  two  stood  near  a  beautiful  foun 
tain  in  the  centre  of  the  court,  amidst  a  great  variety 
of  flowers  and  shrubs,  Rebekah  was  almost  bewildered 


Similarity  and  Dissimilarity.  39 

by  the  beauty  of  the  place.  Although  the  Doric 
columns  supporting  the  roof  around  the  large  open 
ing  above  were  by  no  means  to  be  despised,  her  eyes 
lingered  much  longer  on  the  flowers,  and  on  the  fas 
cinating  paintings  which  decorated  the  walls.  There 
she  saw  the  lance,  helmet,  and  shield  of  Minerva ; 
here,  the  eagle  and  the  globe  of  Jove.  There  she 
was  attracted  by  the  panther  of  Bacchus ;  here  by 
Neptune  and  Apollo  presiding  at  the  building  of 
Troy.  But  other  wonders  awaited  her. 

"  This,"  said  the  hostess,  leading  her  into  a  recess 
at  the  east  end  of  the  atrium,  "  is  what  we  call  the 
tdbl'nium,  which  as  thou  seest  contains  the  archives, 
pictures,  statues,  genealogical  records,  and  other 
ancestral  relics  belonging  to  our  family.  When  thou 
art  at  leisure  some  day  I  shall  be  glad  to  give  thee 
the  history  connected  with  them.  Before  we  go  far 
ther,  however,  I  must  show  thee  this  picture.  There  ! 
knowest  thou  whose  it  is  ?  " 

"  I  think  not ;  I  do  not  remember  having  ever  seen 
the  original,"  was  the  reply. 

"  And  yet  thou  must  have  heard  of  him,  for  Priscus 
told  me  that  thy  uncle — he  that  was  in  custody  on  the 
Palatine — knew  my  father  well." 

"  Oh,  thy  father !  yes,  I  have  heard  my  uncle  speak 
of  him  often,  and  always  with  praise.  Had  I  never 
heard  of  him,  I  could  tell  by  that  picture  that  Rome 
has  no  nobler  men." 

Not  a  little  pleased  at  this  remark,  the  Roman 
matron  now  conducted  her  guest  past  Herodion's 
room,  up  several  flights  of  stairs  through  the  quarters 
of  the  slaves,  who,  in  accordance  with  Roman  usage, 
occupied  the  upper  part  of  the  house,  to  the  solarium, 
which  combined  in  one  the  modern  observatory  and 
conservatory.  Here  the  sight  of  vine-covered  trel 
lises,  rare  plants,  and  sparkling  fountains,  for  a 
moment  beguiled  Rebekah  into  a  pleasant  train  of 
thought.  Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  exten 
sive  view  of  the  city  and  the  surrounding  country 
which  their  elevated  position  commanded  would  also 


40  Rebekah. 

have  been  highly  pleasing  and  inspiring.  But  now, 
with  a  few  exceptions,  heaps  of  ruins,  many  of  which 
still  emitted  clouds  of  smoke,  everywhere  met  the 
eye.  As  Rebekah  contemplated  this  desolate  and 
painful  scene,  a  little  boy  and  girl,  puffing  and  jabber 
ing  at  a  great  rate,  came  running  towards  their 
mother  from  the  head  of  the  stairway,  and  seeing  a 
turtle  near  a  fountain  at  the  other  end  of  the  sola 
rium,  they  bounded  towards  it  and  began  to  amuse 
themselves  by  teasing  it.  The  mother  saw  that  what 
had  long  ago  ceased  to  be  a  novelty  to  her  was 
viewed  with  absorbing  interest  by  Rebekah,  and  she 
watched  attentively  the  varied  expressions  on  her 
face.  To  a  stranger  she  herself  would  have  been  an 
object  of  study  as  well  as  admiration.  She  was  sev 
eral  years  older  than  Rebekah,  and  less  beautiful ; 
yet  there  was  something  very  fascinating  in  her  man 
ner  and  looks.  Her  features  as  well  as  dress  were 
purely  Roman.  Her  eyebrows  and  eyelids  were 
painted,  and  the  veins  on  her  temples  were  touched 
with  a  delicate  blue  color.  The  stola,  consisting  of 
one  piece  of  material,  sewed  together  in  the  form  of 
a  sack,  constituted  her  outer  garment.  It  reached  to 
her  feet,  was  fastened  round  her  body  by  a  girdle, 
and  over  her  shoulders  by  a  clasp,  leaving  broad 
folds  above  the  breast.  The  tips  of  bright-colored 
shoes  embroidered  with  gold  were  seen  under  the 
border  of  her  dress.  A  costly  necklace,  and  armlets 
and  rings  of  gold  constituted  her  ornaments.  In  the 
cast  of  her  face  Rebekah  had  already  detected  a  strik 
ing  resemblance  to  Priscus.  There  was  that  in  her 
bearing  also  which  strongly  reminded  the  Jewish 
maiden  of  the  centurion;  otherwise  she  might  not 
have  felt  so  much  at  ease  in  her  presence. 

An  observer  could  not  have  failed  to  notice  the 
contrast  between  these  representatives  of  two  people 
so  different  in  physical  traits,  habits  of  life,  and  na 
tional  customs.  The  one  was  a  slave  all  but  in  name 
to  the  will  of  her  husband  and  to  heathen  super 
stitions  and  ideas.  The  other  enjoyed  nearly  all  the 


Similarity  and  Dissimilarity.  41 

privileges  which  daughters  enjoy  in  Christian  homes 
to-day,  and  possessed  a  true  Christian  heart  and 
spirit. 

As  Rebekah  watched  the  efforts  of  the  turtle  to  es 
cape  from  the  children,  the  voice  of  her  hostess  startled 
her,  and  as  she  turned  towards  her,  a  slight  flush  rose 
to  her  cheeks. 

"Wert  thou  Seneca,  and  were  philosophy  thy  dear 
est  idol,  my  friend,  thou  couldst  never  be  more  fond 
of  meditation.  Pray,  what  do  thine  eyes  find  to  feast 
upon  in  that  childish  scene  ?  "  inquired  the  matron, 
ignoring  Rebekah's  slight  confusion. 

"That  childish  scene  has  for  me  a  deep  signifi 
cance,"  was  the  maiden's  earnest  reply.  "  In  that 
struggling  turtle,  vainly  striving  to  get  away  from 
his  young  tormentors,  I  see  a  living  picture  of  a  sin 
ner  attempting  to  escape  from  sin  and  death." 

"  Why  not  regard  it  as  a  picture  of  man  trying  to 
free  himself  from  the  power  of  the  Parcse  ?  " 

"  Because  I  am  a  Christian.  To  me  the  Parcse  ex 
ist  only  in  the  imagination.  The  God  who  made  the 
world  and  every  living  thing,  and  who  rules  over  the 
affairs  of  men,  is  the  only  Dispenser  of  destinies  ;  for 
in  Him  we  live,  move,  and  have  our  being." 

"  Strange  that  thou  shouldst  deny  the  existence  of 
these  goddesses  in  view  of  all  that  has  happened  to 
thee  and  thine  of  late.  Seest  thou  that  picture  on 
the  wall  ?  It  was  painted  by  a  friend  of  my  husband, 
and  represents  the  three  ParcaB.  There  thou  seest 
Clotho  spinning  the  thread  of  life ;  there  Lachesis  is 
shown  determining  the  lot  of  life  ;  and  there  Atropos 
appears  cutting  the  thread  of  life.  That  I  believe  is 
based  on  fact." 

"That  great  calamities  have  overtaken  us  I  will 
not  deny  ;  but  that  they  are  due  to  the  Fates  no 
Christian  can  believe.  It  was  the  true  God  who  per 
mitted  that  son  of  Belial  to  set  fire  to  our  home;  and 
it  was  the  same  God  that  sent  thy  valiant  brother  to 
save  my  life,  and  to  lead  my  father  and  me  to  thy 
hospitable  home." 


42  RebeJcaL 

"  If  he  whom  thou  callest  the  true  God  sent  Priscus 
to  save  thee,  who  destroyed  thy  father's  slaves  ?  " 

"  It  was  neither  the  Fates  nor  God ;  but  their  own 
imprudence.  I  should  have  shared  their  terrible 
doom,  no  doubt,  had  not  consciousness  deserted  me 
when  it  did,"  said  Rebekah  wiping  a  tear  from  her 
eye,  and  burying  her  face  in  her  hands.  Then  after 
a  pause  she  added,  "  What  made  me  incapable  of 
seeking  a  way  of  escape,  also  preserved  me  from  fatal 
rashness.  Had  I  witnessed  poor  Zillah  all  aflame  leap 
ing  over  the  battlements,  I  might  have  followed  her 
example.  Had  I  seen  Hagar  falling  into  that  burn 
ing  abyss,  I  might  have  leaped  after  her."  Here  her 
emotions  became  uncontrollable,  and  her  whole  frame 
shook  like  a  tree  in  a  storm.  Her  father  had  informed 
her  that  morning  of  all  that  he  had  learned  concern 
ing  the  fate  of  his  domestics,  and  had  urged  her  not 
to  indulge  in  melancholy  reflections.  But  her  mind 
frequently  recurred  to  what  she  had  heard  in  spite  of 
every  effort  to  the  contrary,  and  at  last  all  her  reso 
lutions  to  govern  her  feelings  were  swept  before  the 
flood  of  tears. 

Tears  appeal  much  more  strongly  to  the  human 
heart  than  even  the  most  learned  arguments.  Hearts 
which  were  impervious  to  the  most  eloquent  ad 
dresses  have  melted  into  tenderness  and  compassion 
before  weeping  humanity.  As  Servius's  wife  listened 
to  Rebekah's  words  she  felt  inclined  to  dispute  her 
statements ;  but  when  she  saw  her  tears  she  forgot  all 
her  objections,  and  was  impelled  by  that  sympathy 
which  is  known  only  to  woman  to  move  closer  to  her 
and  pour  the  oil  of  consolation  into  her  wounded 
heart.  The  little  girl  also  when  she  heard  the  maid 
en's  sobs  lost  all  interest  in  the  turtle,  and  while  try 
ing  to  climb  up  to  Rebekah's  lap  she  murmured, 
"  There,  there  ;  don't  cry  ;  you  will  be  better  soon." 
The  boy,  who  was  the  older  of  the  two,  witnessed  the 
outburst  of  tears  with  an  expression  of  mingled  sur 
prise  and  disgust,  and  when  his  sister  deserted  him 
he  reluctantly  let  the  tormented  chelonian  escape 


Similarity  and  Dissimilarity.  43 

from  him,  and  approaching  his  mother  he  whispered 
in  her  ear,  "  What  is  she  crying  for  ?  " 

"  Hush,  my  child ;  her  tears  have  a  cause  that  thou 
canst  not  understand.  Go  and  play,"  was  the  mother's 
reply. 

"  I  can't ;  he  is  gone  now,  and  can  not  be  found 
again,"  remarked  the  boy  sullenly. 

"  See  !  there  is  a  beautiful  butterfly ;  take  thy  sister 
and  run  to  catch  it." 

"  Come  quick,  Octavia.  See !  it  comes  this  way. 
Help  me  to  chase  it." 

The  outburst  of  emotion,  like  the  eruption  of  a 
volcano,  exhausts  the  force  that  causes  it.  Thus 
when  the  flow  of  tears  had  subsided,  Rebekah  felt  re 
lieved  of  much  of  her  sorrow.  She  was,  however, 
not  a  little  ashamed  that  her  self-control  had  de 
serted  her  so  completely  in  the  presence  of  one  who 
was  to  her  but  little  more  than  a  stranger.  Therefore 
when  she  could  speak  again  she  said  apologetically, 
"  Thy  pardon,  good  friend,  for  this  manifestation  of 
my  weakness." 

"  Rather  grant  me  thy  pardon ;  my  thoughtlessness 
opened  the  ftood-gates  of  thy  heart.  Call  not  thyself 
weak.  Horatius  was  never  more  heroic  than  thou 
hast  been  during  these  evil  days.  The  hand  of  adver 
sity  has  been  heavy  upon  thee ;  yet  thy  lips  have 
uttered  no  complaints.  Had  I  been  in  thy  place,  I 
fear  the  gods  would  grow  weary  of  my  murmurings. 
Thou  art  not  an  Epicure ;  yet  the  sweet  and  beauti 
ful  never  had  a  truer  friend.  Nor  art  thou  a  Stoic  ; 
yet  Zeno  was  never  more  patient  and  resigned.  I  had 
rather  possess  this  noble  trait  than  a  fortune." 

"  Hadst  thou  known  me  better,  thou  wouldst  have 
a  different  opinion  of  me,"  replied  Rebekah  modestly. 
"  The  Lord  grant,  however,  that  I  be  more  worthy  of 
him.  Although  I  am  often  impatient,  I  am  persuaded 
that  none  has  greater  reasons  to  be  patient  and  re 
signed  than  a  Christian.  The  Supreme  God  is  his 
leather,  and  all  things  work  together  for  his  good, 
ihe  Son  of  God  is  his  Saviour  and  Guide,  and- he  has 


44  Bebekah. 

not  only  set  before  him  an  example  of  perfect  patience 
and  resignation,  but  also  has  said,  4  In  the  world  ye 
shall  have  tribulation ;  but  be  of  good  cheer ;  I  have 
overcome  the  world.' " 

"  He  whom  thou  callest  the  Supreme  God  must  be 
Jupiter,  the  greatest  of  the  gods,  and  the  Father  of 
Heaven.  He  is  also  the  Father  of  the  Romans.  But 
whom  callest  thou  4  the  Son  of  God '  ?  Jupiter  has 
many  children  ;  which  of  them  hast  thou  in  mind  ?  '' 
"  The  God  of  whom  I  speak  may  be  known  to  thee 
as  Jupiter;  but  thy  conception  of  him  differs  from 
mine.  To  me  he  is  not  4  the  greatest  of  the  gods ; ' 
but  the  Only  True  God ;  for  he  has  said,  '  Besides 
me  there  is  no  God.'  Neither  did  he  spring  from 
other  gods,  as  you  believe  ;  for  he  has  also  said,  4  I  am 
the  first,  and  I  am  the  last.'  Nor  has  he  but  one  Son. 
Thou  hast  heard  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  " 

"Yes.     He  was  crucified  under  Pontius  Pilate." 
44  He  is  the  Son  of  God,  the  Saviour  of  men." 
44  Can  a  malefactor  be  a  Son  of  God  ?  " 
44  He  was  not  a  malefactor  ;  but  he  laid  down  his 
life  that  he  might  give  himself  a  ransom  for  all." 

This  explanation  while  in  perfect  accord  with  the 
Scriptures  was  far  from  satisfactory  to  the  Roman 
matron.  To  her  mind  to  say  that  one  who  had  been 
crucified  was  the  Son  of  God  was  to  be  guilty  of  the 
greatest  incongruity.  Nor  could  she  see  how  his 
death  could  have  any  relation  to  sin.  Stronger  minds 
than  hers  have  stumbled  over  the  same  truth,  because 
they  have  tried  to  understand  it  without  feeling  it. 

Further  discussion  was  prevented  at  this  point  by 
the  arrival  of  the  centurion,  who,  ignoring  the  signs 
of  weeping  on  Rebekah's  face,  said  kindly, 44  Ah !  I  am 
very  glad  to  see  you  here.  Duty  has  prevented  my 
coming  to  see  you  sooner.  But  your  father  has  kept 
me  daily  informed  of  the  state  of  your  health." 

44  It  is  very  kind  of  you  to  be  so  interested  in  our 
welfare,"  said  Rebekah,  blushing.  u  When  you  led 
us  here,  I  knew  not  the  name  of  my  rescuer.  Let 
me  now  say  that  my  tongue  can  never  express  the 


Plotting  and  Counterplotting.  45 

gratitude  that  my  heart  feels  towards  you  for  your 
timely  aid." 

"  Pray  do  not  mention  it.  I  am  sorry  my  arrival 
was  so  late."  Then  after  a  short  pause  he  continued : 
"  The  events  of  that  day,  then,  are  no  longer  a  mys 
tery  to  you?  " 

"  No.  My  father  has  kept  his  promise.  He  has 
also  informed  me  of  your  kind  assistance  in  the  burial 
of  his  dead." 

"  Ah !  many  are  those  who  have  needed  such  as 
sistance  of  late,"  said  Priscus.  Then  turning  to  his 
sister  he  added,  "  Fortune  has  greatly  favored  thee, 
Valeria,  in  the  preservation  of  tlry  home  and  loved 
ones  in  the  midst  of  this  desolation." 

"True;  and  I  shall  express  my  gratitude  in  an 
offering  of  thanks  on  her  altar  to-morrow." 

It  will  be  observed  that  Valeria,  true  to  the  in 
stincts  of  womanhood,  was  far  more  pious  than  her 
brother.  While  he  had  reached  a  condition  which 
was  neither  pagan  nor  Christian,  her  faith  in  the  gods 
of  Rome  was  unshaken.  Priscus,  however,  concealed 
his  true  state  of  mind  from  his  sister ;  but  as  he  ac 
companied  Rebekah  down  to  the  atrium  that  evening, 
he  dropped  certain  words  that  gave  promise  of  a 
change  of  heart. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PLOTTING  AND   COUNTERPLOTTING. 

ON  the  evening  of  the  second  day  after  the  confla 
gration  had  ceased,  as  the  shades  of  night  descended 
upon  the  scene  of  desolation,  a  man  walked  leisurely 
towards  a  beautiful  arbor  in  the  centre  of  the  Impe 
rial  Garden  on  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  Palatine. 
His  face  wore  a  grave  expression,  and  he  was  evi 
dently  more  absorbed  in  his  own  thoughts  than  in  his 
surroundings.  Perhaps  this  was  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  garden  had  been  shorn  of  much  of  its  beauty  by 


46  Rebekah. 

the  multitudes  that  had  sought  refuge  in  it  only  a  few 
days  before ;  or  perhaps  it  was  owing  to  some  sad 
story  to  which  he  had  just  been  listening.  As  he  was 
about  to  enter  the  arbor  the  hum  of  voices  attracted 
his  attention.  Stepping  noiselessly  behind  an  ever 
green  tree,  he  peered  through  the  thick  foliage  and 
saw  two  men  enter  the  retreat. 

The  change  which  came  over  his  countenance  at 
that  moment  indicated  that  he  felt  himself  in  a  crit 
ical  position,  and  the  hasty  way  in  which  he  sur 
veyed  his  surroundings,  showed  a  desire  to  escape. 
Seeing,  however,  that  he  could  not  leave  his  place  of 
concealment  without  detection,  he  decided  to  remain 
where  he  was,  whatever  might  be  the  consequence. 
The  men  sat  facing  him,  and  he  became  an  involuntary 
listener  to  the  following  dialogue. 

"  Thinkest  thou,  my  Tigellinus,  that  these  shrubs 
and  trees  have  ears  ?  " 

"  If  they  have  ears,  most  noble  Csesar,  they  have 
no  tongues ;  or  if  they  have  both  ears  and  tongues 
they  have  no  brains  to  convert  sound  into  informa 
tion." 

"  If  thou  thinkest  that  none  but  ourselves  are  here 
to  enjoy  this  feast  of  words,  thou  mayest  proceed  to 
spread  thy  table." 

"  I  have  already  told  thee,  my  lord,  that  thou  art 
charged  with  setting  the  city  on  fire.  With  thy  per 
mission  I  will  add  that  thy  name  is  accompanied  with 
execrations  on  almost  every  tongue." 

"Ha,  ha!  their  execrations  can  break  no  bones." 

"But  they  may  transform  themselves  into  dag 
gers." 

"  Trouble  not  thyself  with  suppositions;  facts  are 
more  palatable.  On  what  grounds  do  the  miserable 
dogs  base  their  charge  ?  " 

"  My  lord  needs  a  good  memory,  if  he  would  re 
member  them  all." 

"  The  theatres  of  Rome  have  never  paid  tribute 
to  a  memory  that  rivals  mine.  Go  on.  I  am  all 


Plotting  and  Counterplotting.  47 

"  Nor  has  the  most  illustrious  of  the  Caesars  received 
tribute  from  a  people  who  easily  forget.  They  say 
that  thou  hast  reveled  in  visions  of  flaming  cities  for 
years ;  that  being  told  on  a  certain  occasion  how 
Gains  used  to  quote  the  words  of  Euripides, '  When  I 
am  dead,  sink  the  whole  earth  in  flames,'  thou  didst 
reply,  4  Nay,  but  while  I  live  ' ;  that  thou  hast  often 
said  that  Priam  was  fortunate  in  having  seen  the 
burning  of  Troy;  that  thou  hadst  a  desire  to  destroy 
Rome  that  thou  mightest  replace  its  narrow  lanes  with 
broad,  regular  streets,  and  its  various  buildings  with 
uniform  edifices  of  Hellenic  architecture ;  that 
Claudius  during  a  conflagration  sat  for  two  nights  in 
a  small  counting-office,  to  encourage  the  firemen  and 
soldiers  in  their  efforts  to  extinguish  the  flames,  by 
distributing  large  sums  of  money  among  them ;  but 
that  thou  didst  cause  every  effort  to  arrest  the 
progress  of  destruction  to  be  resisted,  and  that  thy 
slaves  were  seen,  during  a  lull  in  the  conflagration, 
with  tow  and  torches  on  the  premises  of  men  of  con 
sular  rank.  Have  thine  ears  been  satiated  ?  " 

"  Pluto  take  them  !  the  slanderous  dogs  !  What  I 
have  done  counts  for  naught.  Were  not  the  Campus 
Martins,  the  Monumenta  Agrippae,  and  even  my  own 
gardens  thrown  open  to  them  by  my  command? 
Who  caused  those  temporary  structures  to  be  built, 
that  furniture  to  be  brought  from  Ostia,  and  that  im 
mense  quantity  of  wheat  to  be  sold  almost  for 
nothing  ?  Yet  this  is  but  a  drop  of  water  in  the 
ocean  compared  with  what  Claudius  has  done  !  This 
is  gratitude  with  a  vengeance.  By  all  the  gods  of 
Rome,  they  shall  pay  for  this." 

"  Not  so  loud,  O  Csesar,  nor  so  fast;  sound  attracts 
ears  as  honey  does  bees,  and  precipitation  too  often 
ends  in  death.  The  current  of  popular  indignation 
has  turned  against  thee.  Thy  rage  cannot  stay  it. 
If  thou  wouldst  save  thyself  be  a  Cyrus,  and  change 
the  Euphrates  of  their  displeasure  into  a  new  chan 
nel." 

"  Ah  !  thou  art  a  good  counsellor,  my  Tigellinus. 


48  Rebekah. 

Thou  canst  well  afford  to  be  calm  when  men  curse 
me  for  thy  misdeeds  as  well  as  for  my  own.  But  it 
is  useless  to  upbraid  thee.  I  will  rather  heed  thy 
counsel  if  thou  wilt  tell  me  what  thou  meanest  by 
turning  the  course  of  the  popular  fury." 

"My  lord  knows  that  a  certain  sect  called 
Christians  has  greatly  increased  of  late  by  the  bab 
blings  of  that  enthusiast  whom  the  people  call  Paul 
the  Jew." 

"  And  thou  knowest  that  Poppsea  scarcely  speaks 
of  anything  else." 

"  Thou  shouldst  thank  Fortune,  O  Caesar,  that  her 
tongue  is  too  much  employed  in  denouncing  and 
cursing  that  fatal  superstition  to  pay  attention  to  thy 
faults.  Thou  wilt  find  her  a  cunning  ally  in  the  ex 
ecution  of  the  scheme  which  I  am  about  to  propose." 

"What  plot  hast  thou  been  weaving  now,  pray?  " 

"It  is  simple  enough  ;  thou  must  accuse  the 
Christians  of  setting  the  city  on  fire." 

"  Ha,  ha  !  nothing  is  easier  than  that ;  but  canst 
thou  make  the  charge  appear  plausible  ?  " 

"  I  can,  my  lord.  The  fire  originated  in  the  shops 
of  the  Jews.  The  Christians  are  a  Jewish  sect  at 
variance  with  their  countrymen.  What  would  be 
more  natural  than  to  trace  the  crime  to  them  ?  " 

"Good!     Goon." 

"Nearly  all  our  temples  and  images  have  been 
destroyed.  The  Christians  abhor  both  our  gods  and 
our  temples ;  and  every  coin  bearing  thine  image, 
and  every  gateway  surmounted  by  the  image  of  a 
god  is  an  abomination  to  them.' 

"  Hercle  !  thou  surpassest  thyself." 

"  The  Christians  have  long  declared  that  not  only 
Rome,  but  the  whole  world  must  be  destroyed  by 
reason  of  iniquity." 

"  I  have  seen  Rome  in  flames ;  would  that  I  might 
now  see  the  world  !  " 

"  Lastly,  these  despised  fanatics  have  no  friends. 
None  will  defend  them ;  none  will  condemn  those 
who  dare  to  molest  them." 


Plotting  and  Counterplotting.  49 

"  Mirabile  !  thou  talkest  like  a  god,  my  Tigellinus. 
Had  Cyrus  a  counsellor  like  thee,  to  cause  the  Eu 
phrates  to  desert  its  rightful  bed  had  been  no  difficult 
task.  Thou  hast  done  thy  part  well ;  now  listen  : 
to-morrow  thou  shalt  send  forth  a  decree  in  my  name 
condemning  to  death  all  Christians  and  all  who  dare 
to  harbor  them.  Secret  orders  must  be  given  that 
all  the  gates  be  watched  to  prevent  their  escape. 
The  gods  shall  have  blood  to  their  satisfaction.  Rome 
shall  be  converted  into  a  grand  theatre.  My  gardens 
shall  be  lighted  at  nightfall  by  avenues  of  Christians 
wound  in  tow  and  saturated  in  pitch.  These  walks 
shall  be  adorned  with  thousands  of  crucified  forms ; 
young  and  old  shall  be  sewn  up  in  the  skins  of  bears 
or  wolves,  and  be  torn  to  pieces  by  dogs  in  the  am 
phitheatre,  to  the  amusement  of  twenty  thousand 
spectators.  The  tragedies  of  Greece  shall  be  enacted 
with  absolute  reality  here  in  Rome.  Art  thou  sat 
isfied  ?  " 

"  The  killing  of  a  dog  may  be  such  as  to  awaken 
the  pity  of  a  mob,  my  lord." 

"  Perpol !  thou  needst  not  fear  an  excess  of 
cruelty.  Rome  seeks  revenge  ;  it  shall  have  amuse 
ment.  It  thirsts  for  imperial  blood ;  it  shall  be  sati 
ated  with  the  blood  of  fanatics." 

"  Thou  hast  thy  lion  slain  ere  it  is  caught." 

"  When  cunning  hunters  like  thee  are  abroad  the 
lion's  life  is  not  his  to  keep." 

"  Ha,  ha !  thy  wit,  O  illustrious,  grows  fat  on  this 
plot.  If  thou  wouldst  have  me  be  thy  hunter,  thou 
shouldst  set  me  on  the  trail." 

"  Thou  must  seize  all  those  whom  thou  knowest  to 
be  Christians,  and  force  them  to  confess  the  names  of 
all  the  rest." 

<4  My  knowledge  may  lead  me  among  thy  slaves." 

"  Be  it  so  ;  seing  that  it  must  also  lead  thee  among 
thine  own." 

"  When  shall  the  tragedy  begin,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  When  thou  bringest  the  actors  on  the  stage. 
But  hark !  that  cisium  brings  Rufus.  We  must 


50  EebeJcah. 

take  him  into  our  confidence.  Let  us  to  the  palace." 
The  effects  produced  by  this  conversation  on  the 
involuntary  listener  introduced  at  the  beginning  of 
the  chapter  were  various.  The  popular  charge 
against  Nero  was  nothing  new  to  him ;  nor  was  he 
unfamiliar  with  his  temper,  since  he  was  one  of  his 
slaves.  The  conspiracy  against  the  Christians,  how 
ever,  was  as  unexpected  as  unwelcome  to  him,  for  he 
had  been  a  believer  in  Christ,  long  before  Paul  went  to 
Rome.  His  knowledge  of  the  conspirators  filled  him 
with  apprehension.  He  was  not  ignorant  of  the  part 
they  had  taken  in  the  destruction  of  the  city ;  nor 
had  he  any  reason  to  expect  them  even  to  modify 
their  mad  plot  against  the  Christians.  We  can 
imagine,  then,  how  uneasy  he  felt  when  listening  to 
the  details  of  the  Satanic  scheme  so  soon  to  be  exe 
cuted. 

For  some  time  after  the  departure  of  Nero  and  his 
sycophant,  the  man  stood  where  he  had  been  hiding 
as  if  riveted  to  the  ground.  Thoughts  crowded  into 
his  mind,  and  he  found  great  difficulty  in  deciding 
what  to  do.  He  realized  that  the  Church  at  Rome 
was  about  to  pass  through  a  terrible  crisis.  Should 
he  keep  the  plot  a  secret  ?  Would  it  be  treachery 
for  him  to  expose  it  ?  His  conscience  plainly  told 
him.  "  No."  It  also  told  him  that  secrecy  on  his  part 
would  be  equal  to  an  approval  of  one  of  the  most 
atrocious  crimes  ever  invented  by  man.  God,  in 
leading  him  at  that  hour  to  a  place  which  he  rarely 
visited,  and  in  permitting  him  to  hear  what  the 
conspirators  wished  to  keep  secret,  undoubtedly 
meant  that  he  should  give  warning  to  as  many  as 
possible  of  his  brethren  that  very  night.  But  who 
should  have  the  first  warning?  Evidently  the 
leaders,  for  they  would  be  among  the  first  to  be 
seized.  Arriving  at  this  decision,  he  looked  cau 
tiously  around  him,  and  walked  away  in  the  direction 
of  the  Esquiline. 

A  short  time  later,  he  entered  the  ostium  of  Ser- 
vius's  house,  and  informed  the  porter  that  he  wished 


Plotting  and  Counterplotting.  51 

to  see  Herodion.  The  latter  was  at  that  moment  in 
the  atrium  with  Rebekah  and  Prisons.  Opening  the 
inner  door  the  porter  announced  the  arrival  of  the 
new-comer,  who  as  he  entered  the  room  gave  a  sud 
den  start  when  he  saw  the  centurion  ;  but  immediately 
recovering  his  self-possession  he  said,  "  Peace  be  unto 
you  and  unto  all  the  Israel  of  God." 

"  We  return  thy  greeting,  good  Apelles,  and  wel 
come  thee  into  this  house,"  said  Herodion,  approach 
ing  the  new-comer. 

"  Thy  pardon  for  this  intrusion ;  the  important 
communication  that  I  have  for  thine  ear  is  my  only 
excuse." 

"  I  fear  another  calamity  is  about  to  befall  us," 
whispered  Rebekah  to  Prisons,  as  her  father  and 
Apelles  disappeared  into  a  private  room  near  by. 
With  the  quickness  of  woman's  instinct  she  had 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  truth  in  the  face  of  the 
slave. 

Herodion  listened  with  a  mingled  feeling  of  in 
dignation  and  surprise  to  the  exposure  of  the  imperial 
plot,  and  frequently  interrupted  Apelles  with  ques 
tions.  The  interview  ended  with  a  brief  consulta 
tion  as  to  the  best  course  to  pursue  in  view  of  the 
pending  calamity,  and  the  Christian  slave  hastened 
to  unfold  the  Satanic  scheme  to  others. 

When  Herodion  rejoined  his  daughter  and  the 
centurion  a  great  change  had  come  over  him.  Pris- 
cus  noticing  this  change  remarked, 

"  Thy  troubled  look,  good  friend,  betokens  evil 
tidings." 

"  Thou  hast  rightly  judged.  The  sky  of  our  hope 
is  again  beclouded,  and  a  storm  is  gathering." 

"  Dost  thou  mean,  father,  that  Rome  is  to  be  visited 
by  another  calamity  ?  ' ' 

"  Not  Rome,  my  child,  not  Rome,  but  Christians. 
Satan  is  abroad,  and  his  angels  have  entered  into  the 
hearts  of  those  in  high  places.  Truly  did  our  Lord 
say,  '  Behold,  I  send  you  forth  as  sheep  in  the  midst 
of  wolves  ; '  and  precious  is  the  advice,  4  Be  ye  there- 


52  MebeJcah. 

fore  wise  as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves.'  Then 
fixing  a  regretful  look  upon  the  centurion  he  con 
tinued,  "  Thy  sister's  house  has  indeed  been  a  true 
home  to  us.  Its  friendly  roof  has  sheltered  us  from 
privation ;  but  it  cannot  protect  us  from  death." 

"  Surely,  thou  hast  no  cause  to  fear  death,"  said 
Priscus  with  surprise.  "  Thou  hast  been  guilty  of 
no  crime ;  why  should  thy  life  be  in  danger  ?  " 

"  Jonathan  was  not  more  true  to  David  than  thou 
hast  been  to  us.  To  conceal  this  secret  from  thee 
would  be  rendering  evil  for  good.  Therefore  listen. 
Caesar,  as  thou  knowest,  is  charged  with  having 
kindled  the  flame  that  has  destroyed  the  city.  This 
charge  has  reached  his  ear,  and  has  troubled  his 
heart.  .  Following  the  counsel  of  Tigellinus,  he  now 
seeks  relief  in  attributing  his  crime  to  the  Christians. 
Before  the  setting  of  to-morrow's  sun  all  who  profess 
the  name  of  Christ,  and  all  who  give  them  shelter,  will 
be  under  the  sentence  of  death." 

"  Art  thou  sure  that  thy  informer  is  a  lover  of  the 
truth  ?  Or  being  a  truthful  man  might  he  not  have 
been  misinformed  ?  "  suggested  Priscus. 

"  Apelles,  though  a  slave,  has  good  report  of  all  men 
and  of  the  truth  itself.  What  his  tongue  has  uttered 
his  ears  have  heard  this  night  in  one  of  the  imperial 
gardens.  He  knows  the  voice  of  his  master,  and 
Tigellinus  is  not  a  stranger  to  him." 

"  It  is  an  infamous  plot.  But  thou  and  thine  will 
still  remain  under  my  sister's  roof." 

"  That  would  be  endangering  the  lives  of  our 
benefactors  with  our  own.  We  leave  this  very 
night." 

"  Why  not  stay  at  least  another  day  ?  " 

"  After  to-morrow  the  gates  will  be  watched,  and 
escape  will  be  impossible." 

44  But  where  shall  we  go,  father  ?"  asked  Rebekah 
with,  a  troubled  look. 

"  Yes,  where  ?  "  echoed  the  centurion. 

The  place  suggested  by  Herodion  was  far  from 
satisfactory  to  the  centurion,  and  the  thought  of  it 


The  Sand-Pits.  53 

sent  a  chill  through  Rebekah ;  yet  both  of  them  had 
to  admit  that  it  had  the  merit  of  being  a  safe  place. 
It  was  with  heavy  hearts  that  they  parted  that  night, 
and  sleep  was  banished  from  their  eyes.  Tribula 
tion,  however,  could  not  sunder  their  affections. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   SAND-PITS. 

NOT  long  after  the  centurion's  departure,  Herodion 
sought  the  presence  of  Servius  and  his  wife,  who 
listened  with  no  little  surprise  to  the  information  they 
received,  and  who  were  very  sorry  that  matters  were 
assuming  such  unfavorable  aspects,  not  that  they 
cared  for  the  new  religion,  but  because  of  their  sym 
pathy  for  their  guests.  Although  they  had  known 
them  only  for  a  few  days,  their  noble  character  and 
behavior  had  awakened  their  highest  respect,  and  it 
was  with  great  reluctance  that  they  consented  to 
their  leaving  so  unexpectedly,  and  with  such  gloomy 
prospects  before  them.  Nor  were  their  guests  anx 
ious  to  leave  the  home  in  which  their  surroundings 
were  so  congenial,  and  where  so  much  kindness  had 
been  shown  them ;  but  they  felt  it  their  duty  to 
depart  as  soon  as  possible. 

It  was  a  little  after  midnight  when  they  emerged 
from  the  vestibule  of  Servius's  house  into  the  narrow 
street ;  and  as  they  did  so  an  indescribable  sense  of 
loneliness  came  over  them.  It  lasted  but  a  short 
time,  however.  As  they  looked  up  into  the  clear 
Italian  sky,  they  remembered  Him  who  made  the 
heavens,  guided  the  Israelites  with  a  column  of  fire 
by  night  and  a  pillar  of  cloud  by  day,  and  sent  the 
Star  of  Bethlehem  to  announce  the  birth  of  the 
Saviour  of  the  world.  To  say  that  they  had  no  fear 
would  be  untrue.  They  were  no  less  human  because 
they  were  Christians ;  their  fear,  however,  was 
under  the  control  of  reason  and  faith.  They  believed 


54  Rebekah. 

that  He  who  had  warned  them  of  their  danger  was 
also  able  to  defend  them  from  harm.  As  they 
wended  their  way  in  silence  between  the  Palatine 
and  Cselian  hills  towards  the  Via  Appia,  they  drew 
close  to  each  other,  avoiding  suspicious  objects  and 
often  stopping  to  listen.  No  sounds  were  heard 
except  the  barking  of  dogs  and  the  occasional  clatter 
of  hoofs,  indicating  the  late  arrival  of  some  traveller, 
or  the  mad  haste  of  some  reveler  as  he  spurred  his 
horse  homeward.  Being  the  latter  part  of  July,  the 
atmosphere  was  very  warm,  and  the  fumes  which 
still  rose  from  some  of  the  ruins  made  it  rather  op 
pressive.  Rebekah  and  her  father  were  too  intent 
upon  reaching  their  destination,  however,  to  think  of 
discomforts. 

Passing  out  of  the  Porta  Capena,  each  heaved  a 
sigh  of  relief,  and  paused  to  rest.  Although  they 
had  not  reached  the  limits  of  the  city,  they  were 
thankful  that  they  were  outside  those  frowning  walls 
which  marked  the  bounds  of  ancient  Rome.  Their 
course  now  lay  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  among 
gardens  and  comparatively  modern  houses.  It  was  a 
course  which  Herodion  had  frequently  followed  on 
his  way  to  Ceesarea.  Resuming  their  journey  they 
trod  lightly  upon  the  pavement,  occasionally  ad 
dressing  each  other  in  whispers.  As  the  distance 
increased  between  them  and  the  Porta  Capena,  the 
houses  grew  farther  and  farther  apart,  and  the  tombs 
of  the  illustrious  families  of  Rome  grew  more  numer 
ous  on  either  hand.  Towards  the  close  of  their 
journey,  they  left  the  Via  Appia,  passing  between 
two  tombs — that  on  the  left  being  a  funeral  tri 
clinium,  presenting  to  the  street  a  plain  front  about 
twenty  feet  in  length ;  and  that  on  the  right  being  a 
square  building,  containing  a  small  chamber,  from 
the  level  of  whose  outer  wall  steps  rose,  supporting 
a  marble  cippus  richly  ornamented.  As  they  ap 
proached  a  low  hill  in  the  vicinity  of  the  tombs,  they 
saw  a  dark  object  in  front  of  them,  which  even  in 
the  starlight  strangely  contrasted  with  the  surround^ 


The  Sand-Pits.  55 

ings.  This  on  nearer  approach  proved  to  be  the 
chief  entrance  to  the  sand-pits,  then  so  widely  known. 
It  was  not  a  very  inviting  place  ;  certainly  the  two 
fugitives  thought  so  as  they  seated  themselves  at  its 
mouth.  As  Rebekah  looked  into  the  interior,  she 
instinctively  shrank  from  its  blackness,  and  made 
some  excuse  for  nestling  closer  to  her  father.  She 
was  not  a  little  fatigued  also  after  her  unusual 
exertion.  As  neither  of  them  felt  inclined  to  talk, 
each  indulged  in  a  disconnected  train  of  thought, 
and  soon  fell  fast  asleep,  Herodion  resting  against 
the  side  of  the  entrance,  and  Rebekah  leaning  on  his 
shoulder.  They  slept  the  sleep  of  the  righteous — a 
sleep  that  Nero  never  knew.  No  murdered  forms 
haunted  their  dreams ;  no  inhuman  plots  disturbed 
their  rest.  Not  even  the  consciousness  of  a  pending 
calamity  troubled  them  now.  They  presented  such 
a  picture  as  angels  might  admire.  Indeed  it  would 
be  quite  natural  for  us  to  think  that  they  did  admire 
it.  Are  we  not  told  that  angels  are  ministering 
spirits  sent  forth  to  minister  for  those  who  shall  be 
heirs  of  salvation  ?  Then  they  surely  hovered  near 
Rebekah  and  her  father ;  for  they  were  true  followers 
of  Christ,  and  the  beauty  of  their  souls  appeared  in 
the  calm,  truthful  expression  of  their  countenances. 
They  were  Israelites  indeed. 

They  had  been  sleeping  only  about  an  hour  when 
the  sound  of  approaching  steps  and  of  suppressed 
voices  caused  them  to  awake  with  a  start.  Looking 
in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  they  saw  a  small  group 
of  men  and  women  close  upon  them,  who  in  turn  had 
been  alarmed  by  the  noise  they  had  made  in  awaken 
ing.  Being  convinced  that  the  new-comers  were 
Christians,  the  father  and  daughter  rose  to  their  feet, 
and  Herodion  said  in  an  assuring  voice,  "  Peace  be 
unto  you  all,  and  welcome  to  this  our  common 
refuge." 

"  Ah !  it  is  Herodion,"  remarked  one  who  seemed 
to  be  the  leader  of  the  group.  Then  he  added, 


56  MebeJcah, 

"  Peace  be  also  unto  thee,  thou  beloved  of  the  Lord, 
and  unto  thy  noble  daughter." 

The  demonstrations  of  joy  which  followed  these 
greetings,  afforded  a  true  illustration  of  the  high  re 
gard  which  the  early  Christians  had  for  each  other, 
and  of  the  brotherly  love  which  so  often  amazed 
Christ's  enemies  in  times  of  persecution. 

The  group  was  composed  of  a  few  of  the  leading 
Christians  from  different  parts  of  the  city,  most  of 
whom  were  Jews,  and  the  rest  Romans  and  Greeks. 
A  few  of  them  had  families,  whom  they  had  left  at 
home,  thinking  that  they  were  safe,  at  least  for  a 
time.  The  others  were  slaves  who  had  no  homes  of 
their  own.  They  had  overtaken  each  other  at  dif 
ferent  points  along  the  Via  Appia,  and  had  travelled 
together  the  rest  of  the  way.  Others  followed  them 
at  different  intervals,  singly  and  in  groups  of  three 
or  more,  Apelles  being  among  the  last  to  arrive. 
Although  living  in  various  parts  of  the  city,  and 
separated  into  groups  of  five  or  more  for  the  purpose 
of  aggressive  Christian  work,  they  all  were  members 
of  the  same  Church  ;  and  although  belonging  to  dif 
ferent  nationalities,  and  differing  widely  in  social 
position  and  rank,  they  manifested  none  of  those 
jealousies  and  prejudices  which  marked  some  of  the 
churches  of  the  East,  and  led  to  so  many  dissensions. 

At  daybreak,  thinking  it  unsafe  to  remain  where 
they  were  any  longer,  each  followed  Apelles  into  the 
interior  of  the  sand-pits,  with  lighted  torches  and 
supplies  of  food  and  clothing.  Apelles  was  quite 
familiar  with  the  place,  having  often  been  sent  there 
for  pozzolana.  The  quarter  into  which  he  led  his 
companions  was  an  abandoned  sand-pit  about  a  third 
of  a  mile  from  the  entrance,  and  which  was  reached 
by  a  circuitous  route  intersected  by  several  passages. 
His  reasons  for  choosing  this  spot  were,  that  its  loca 
tion  made  discovery  improbable ;  that  it  afforded 
room  enough  for  all;  and  that  there  were  several 
avenues  of  escape  at  hand  in  case  of  necessity.  In 
other  respects  it  was  no  better  than  the  other  sand- 


The  Sand-Pits.  57 

pits,  dampness  being  especially  noticeable.  Realizing 
this  fact  Apelles  said  to  his  fellow-Christians: 

44  To  inform  you,  brethren,  that  we  have  not  come 
to  a  palace,  or  that  these  heaps  of  sand  are  not  richly 
embroidered  divans  is  unnecessary.  We  have  not 
come  here  for  ease  and  comfort,  but  for  safety.  Nor 
are  we  the  first  to  seek  refuge  from  persecution  in 
the  dark  places  of  the  earth.  Let  me  remind  you  of 
the  patriarch  David,  who  when  pursued  by  Saul  hid 
in  the  cave  of  Adullam;  and  of  the  hundred  men 
whom  Obadiah  hid  in  a  cave  in  the  time  of  the 
prophet  Elijah.  To  be  in  discomfort  with  a  con 
science  void  of  offense  is  far  better  than  to  fare 
sumptuously  with  a  guilty  conscience." 

44  Thou  speakest  truly,"  said  Herodion  approvingly. 

44  The  persecuted,  though  in  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  can  say  with  the  Psalmist  of  old,  4  God  is  our 
refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble. 
Therefore  will  we  not  fear,  though  the  earth  be  re 
moved,  and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea ;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and 
be  troubled ;  though  the  mountains  shake  with  the 
swelling  thereof.' " 

44  Having  this  assurance,  brethren,  it  behooves  us 
to  render  thanksgiving  unto  God.  Let  us  offer  unto 
him  the  sacrifice  of  our  hearts." 

Thus  spoke  the  man  who  had  returned  the  greet 
ing  of  Herodion  at  the  entrance  of  the  sand-pits,  and 
all  complied  with  the  request. 

At  the  close  of  the  devotions,  Apelles,  with  the 
prudence  of  a  true  general,  modestly  remarked, 
44  Brethren,  the  promise  of  divine  protection  does  not 
excuse  human  carelessness.  Had  your  forefathers 
neglected  to  sprinkle  their  door-posts  with  the  blood 
of  the  paschal  lamb  their  first-born  had  not  been 
spared.  The  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  tower  of  our  strength;  yet  we  must  be 
the  watchmen  in  that  tower." 

44  Thy  words  are  the  fruit  of  wisdom,"  said  the 
same  voice  that  had  suggested  prayer.  44  He  who 


58  RebeTcah. 

waits  patiently  and  wisely  on  the  Lord,  shall  never 
be  confounded.  But  the  fool's  trust  is  presumption, 
and  ends  in  death." 

The  reasonableness  of  the  suggestion  thus  approved 
was  apparent  to  all,  and  a  system  of  vigilance  was 
instituted  under  the  management  of  Apelles,  who 
proved  himself  worthy  of  the  trust.  Other  arrange 
ments  followed  relative  to  the  general  welfare,  at  the 
conclusion  of  which  each  Christian  sought  to  make 
himself  as  comfortable  as  possible. 

Rebekah  and  her  father  occupied  a  small  recess  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  sand-pit,  near  the  entrance. 
This  they  made  to  look  as  homelike  as  they  could  ; 
yet  how  little  did  it  seem  like  home  to  them,  after 
all.  The  contrast  was  painful  in  the  extreme  to 
Rebekah  as  she  sat  watching  a  large  torch  in  front 
of  her,  from  which  an  unbroken  column  of  smoke 
extended  in  a  series  of  curls  towards  the  roof ;  but 
she  gave  no  expression  to  her  thoughts.  Presently 
a  footstep  aroused  her  from  her  abstraction,  and 
Apelles  entered  the  recess. 

"  Ah !  it  is  thou,  good  friend,"  said  Herodion. 
"  Thou  are  welcome  to  this,  our  new  home.  It  is  not  as 
cheerful  as  we  would  have  it;  yet  it  is  far  better  than 
the  lion's  den  or  the  fiery  furnace." 

"  Thou  mightest  add  that  it  is  not  worse  than  the 
birth-place  of  our  Lord,  and  that  it  is  far  better  than 
the  tomb  in  which  the  Prince  of  Glory  lay,"  was  the 
reply.  "  But  I  came  not  to  discuss  the  merits  or 
demerits  of  your  home,  but  to  assure  you  of  our 
safety.  The  guards  are  at  their  posts,  and  we  can 
defy  ten  thousand  Neros  now  as  long  as  our  provi 
sions  last." 

"  Thou  hast  done  well,  Apelles,  very  well,"  said 
Herodion.  "  Nero  will  not  molest  us  here  ;  at  least 
he  cannot  capture  us.  Yet  he  may  cause  us  to  die 
of  starvation  by  seizing  those  whom  we  shall  send  to 
secure  provisions.  We  must  not  borrow  trouble, 
however,  but  trust  in  the  Lord  and  in  our  own 
wits." 


The  Sand-Pit*.  59 

"  If  thou  couldst  see  Priscus  the  centurion,"  said 
Rebekah,  "  he  might  give  thee  a  few  hints  that  would 
be  of  value  to  thee  or  anyone  else  who  is  to  oversee 
those  who  shall  be  sent  for  supplies." 

"  Thou  speakest  truly  ;  yet  if  he  have  stronger 
sympathies  for  Rome  than  for  the  sand-pits,  he  may 
lay  snares  for  us  instead  of  helping  us  to  avoid  them," 
said  Apelles,  pretending  to  doubt  the  centurion's 
fidelity  to  their  cause.  "  There  are  those  who  pat 
people  on  the  back,  smile  in  their  faces,  and,  like 
Peter,  profess  that  they  will  go  with  them  to  prison 
and  into  death,  as  long  as  the  sun  of  prosperity 
shines  ;  but  who  when  the  clouds  of  adversity  begin 
to  gather  find  the  society  of  others  more  congenial, 
and  swear  that  they  never  knew  their  old  friends." 

"  It  is  well  for  thee  that  the  centurion's  ears  are 
too  far  away  to  catch  thy  words,"  said  Rebekah  with 
flushed  cheeks,  failing  to  see  the  waggish  expression 
on  Apelles'  face,  on  account  of  the  darkness.  "  When 
the  moon  can  with  justice  question  the  light-giving 
power  of  the  sun,  then,  O  Apelles,  and  not  till  then, 
canst  thou  accuse  Priscus  of  infidelity." 

"  Ha,  ha !  thou  at  least  canst  be  trusted,  O  fair 
daughter  of  Herodion,"  said  the  slave  smilingly,  as 
he  moved  away.  "May  God  bless  thee  and  thy 
father — and  Priscus." 

One  or  two  other  visits  from  some  of  their  com 
panions  in  distress  brought  the  experiences  of  our 
friends'  first  day  in  the  sand-pits  to  an  end.  The 
next  day  was  Sunday,  which  had  already  been  gen 
erally  adopted  by  Christ's  followers  as  the  Christian 
Sabbath.  It  was  a  beautiful  day.  The  sun  rose  in 
all  the  glory  of  his  strength,  and  Nature  robed  in  her 
summer  garments,  greeted  him  with  her  sweetest 
smile.  |  In  the  gardens  of  Rome  the  roses  blushed 
and  the  lilies  bent  their  heads  coquettishly  at  the  ap 
pearance  of  every  bright  ray  ;  and  the  birds  poured 
their  rapturous  melody  into  the  ear  of  the  sweet 
zephyr  that  joyously  played  among  the  leaves.  None 
of  this  charming  beauty,  however,  cheered  the  sand- 


60  Hebekah. 

pits.  There  summer  and  winter  were  alike  unknown. 
Not  a  single  ray  of  solar  light  ever  penetrated  their 
dark  recesses.  Their  grim  walls  never  looked  upon 
a  single  flower  or  blade  of  grass.  Their  echo  was 
never  disturbed  by  the  songs  of  birds.  Their  cheer 
less  aspect  was  better  suited,  to  magnify  the  terrors 
of  guilt  and  to  awaken  the  fiends  of  remorse  than 
to  inspire  a  spirit  of  devotion  and  to  kindle  religious 
zeal. 

Yet  nowhere  was  that  holy  Sabbath  day  more 
heartily  welcomed  than  in  that  dingy  hiding-place. 
While  it  was  greeted  by  no  natural  beauty,  it  was 
hailed  by  something  infinitely  more  precious  in  the 
sight  of  heaven — the  beauty  of  holiness  !  This  beauty 
is  ever  anxious  to  commune  with  its  native  heaven. 
Therefore  at  the  usual  hour  for  morning  worship  the 
Christian  fugitives  assembled  near  a  small  heap  of 
sand  in  the  centre  of  the  sand-pit  which  served  as 
their  common  home.  Upon  this  sand-heap  sat  An- 
dronicus  the  presbyter,  who  like  Herodion  was  one 
of  Paul's  kinsmen.  His  features  were  decidedly 
Jewish  ;  his  snowy  hair  and  beard  indicated  at  least 
seventy  years  of  life ;  and  the  intellectual  cast  of  his 
face  denoted  a  keen,  active  mind.  Near  him,  on  the 
right  sat  Herodion  ;  on  the  left,  Apelles,  each  serving 
in  the  capacity  of  deacon.  Seated  on  the  ground  in 
front  of  them,  and  arranged  according  to  sex  and 
age,  were  the  rest  of  the  worshipers.  In  the  ab 
sence  of  chandeliers,  four  men  were  stationed  at 
certain  intervals  to  hold  the  lights. 

The  order  of  service  was  simple.  The  presbyter 
read  that  rich  chapter  in  Isaiah  which  commences 
with,  "  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,  niy  people,  saith  your 
God."  Then  the  Psalm  beginning  with  that  grand 
verse,  "  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the 
Most  High  shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the 
Almighty,"  was  sung  in  a  very  effective  manner  by 
one  of  the  brethren,  the  congregation  joining  in  the 
last  line  of  each  verse.  The  rest  of  the  service  con 
sisted  of  remarks  by  Herodion  and  Apelles,  a  homily 


Friend  and  Foe.  61 

by  the  presbyter,  a  prayer  followed  by  the  Lord's 
Kiss,  and  another  prayer  followed  by  the  administra 
tion  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  of  which  the  men  and 
women  partook  standing  in  two  separate  ranks  ac 
cording  to  sex,  and  praying  secretly. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  small  Christian 
band,  with  hearts  filled  with  heavenly  joy,  greeted 
each  other  with  encouraging  words,  and  urged  each 
other  to  be  strong  in  the  Lord.  The  remainder  of 
the  day  was  spent  in  a  manner  most  becoming  its 
sacredness. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

FRIEND  AND   FOE. 

WITH  the  brightness  of  another  day  came  the 
usual  bustle  and  confusion  into  the  busy  streets  of 
Rome.  Vehicles,  beasts  of  burden,  men  and  women, 
soldiers  and  civilians,  natives  and  foreigners,  bond 
and  free,  in  confused  masses  flooded  every  thorough 
fare  and  poured  in  and  out  at  every  gate.  Owing  to 
the  test  to  which  all  who  left  the  city  were  subjected 
by  reason  of  Nero's  secret  order,  the  gates  were  far 
more  crowded  than  usual.  Especially  was  this  true 
of  the  Porta  Capena,  through  which  passed  the  Via 
Appia — the  oldest  and  most  frequented  road  in  Italy. 
Conspicuous,  although  not  the  most  elegant,  among 
the  vehicles  that  sought  passage  out  of  the  gate,  was 
a  sand-cart  drawn  by  one  horse,  which  was  driven  by 
a  man  dressed  in  the  garb  of  a  laborer,  and  seated  on 
a  large  box  in  the  cart. 

"  Art  thou  a  Christian  ? "  asked  an  official,  ap 
proaching  the  driver. 

"  The  gods  of  Rome  have  never  seen  me  bow  down 
to  Christus,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

"  Art  thou  a  lover  of  the  gods  ?  " 

"  Caesar  never  loved  them  more." 

"  Pass  on,    Next." 


62  Eebekah. 

The  driver  obeyed,  and  as  he  passed  out  of  the 
gate  he  said  to  himself: 

"  Ha,  ha,  he  took  my  allusion  to  the  blindness  of 
the  gods  for  a  denial  of  Christ,  and  my  reference  to 
Nero's  love  for  devotion  to  the  gods !  I  shall  never 
break  the  first  commandment  again  if  my  love  for 
the  gods  exceed  not  that  of  Caesar." 

He  was  prevented  from  further  reflection  by  a 
harsh  voice  asking, 

"  Wilt  thou  favor  me  with  a  ride,  friend  ?  " 

The  driver  recognizing  the  voice,  turned  in  the 
direction  of  the  speaker,  and  saw  Demetrius,  the 
slave  who  fired  Herodion's  house,  beside  the  cart. 
His  first  impulse  was  to  refuse,  but  a  second  thought 
induced  him  to  grant  his  request.  As  the  slave 
seated  himself  beside  the  driver,  he  remarked, 

"  Thou  art  going  to  the  arenarise,  art  thou  not?  " 

"  Ay,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

"  Thou  hast  more  courage  than  I  have  to  venture 
there  alone,"  he  continued,  shrugging  his  shoulders, 
and  affecting  fear. 

"  Why  should  I  need  courage  ?  demons  are  too 
busily  engaged  in  the  city  to  haunt  the  caves." 

"  Thou  art  mistaken,  friend,  the  are n  arias  are  full 
of  incarnate  demons,  for  such  I  regard  the  Christians 
who  have  fled  there." 

"It  were  indeed  a  serious  matter  to  go  among 
them,  if  all  thou  sayest  were  true." 

"  Dost  thou  doubt  my  word  ?  Surely  thou  art 
either  ignorant  of  their  tricks  or  art  one  of  them." 

"  My  doubt  has  no  father  but  ignorance.  Dispel 
the  one,  the  other  will  depart." 

"  Perpol !  Lend  me  thine  ear,  then,  and  mark 
well  my  words.  In  the  observance  of  a  holy  rite,  the 
Christians  commit  crimes  which  evil  spirits  can  not 
witness  without  a  blush.  They  choose  a  child  of 
tender  age,  to  whom  life  is  scarcely  an  acquaintance 
and  death  is  an  utter  stranger,  and  plucking  it  from 
its  mother's  breast,  they  lay  it  on  a  table.  Then  pro 
voking  it  to  smile,  an  elder  plunges  a  knife  into  its 


Friend  and  Fob.  63 

young  heart,  while  the  rest  gather  around  him  to 
saturate  their  bread  with  the  blood.  The  soul  is 
hardly  free  ere  the  innocent  victim  is  cooked  and 
eaten.  At  the  close  of  the  feast,  dogs  are  allured 
upon  the  tables  that  they  may,  by  upsetting  the 
lamps,  put  out  the  light,  preparatory  to  the  incestu 
ous  practices  which  follow.  Need  I  tell  thee  more  ?  " 

While  the  slave  spoke  the  driver's  features  worked 
in  a  threatening  manner.  He  knew  that  the  eharge 
to  which  he  listened  was  the  invention  of  Christ's 
enemies,  and  was  as  baseless  as  it  was  infamous.  He 
felt  strongly  inclined  to  punish  the  base  slanderer  at 
his  side  ;  but  prudence  stayed  his  hand.  Therefore 
when  the  slave  paused,  he  simply  ejaculated, 

"  The  wretches  !     Go  on ! " 

Demetrius  misinterpreting  .both  the  expression  on 
the  driver's  face  and  his  ejaculation,  proceeded  witha 
triumphant  air: 

"  Ha,  ha  !  thou  art  beginning  to  see  with  the  eyes 
of  a  true  Roman.  Let  me  assist  thee  to  further  light. 
These  monsters  of  wickedness  call  the  gods  demons  ; 
refuse  to  offer  sacrifices  both  to  them  and  to  Csesar ; 
denounce  the  public  games ;  violate  every  law  ;  and 
bring  upon  us  many  terrible  calamities.  The  black 
ened  ruins  which  everywhere  in  Rome  stare  at  ua 
like  the  ghosts  of  departed  glory  and  magnificence, 
constantly  remind  us  of  their  atrocious  deeds  ;  and 
the  just  retribution  which  has  now  overtaken  them 
betokens  the  vengeance  of  the  gods.  By  Pluto,  if  I 
had  the  insight  of  Jupiter  and  the  strength  of  Her 
cules,  I  would  soon  put  an  end  to  them  all,  and  rid 
Rome  of  a  great  nuisance." 

Perceiving  that  any  attempt  on  his  part  to  show 
the  absurdity  of  these  charges,  or  to  resent  the  insults 
thus  heaped  upon  the  Christians  would  inevitably 
interfere  with  his  plans  and  needlessly  imperil  his 
life ;  and  desiring  to  know  if  possible  on  what  mis 
chief  Demetrius  was  now  bent,  the  driver  turned  to 
wards  him  and  with  feigned  admiration  said, 


64  Eebekah. 

"  Caesar  is  no  longer  himself,  if  he  has  not  set  thee 
on  the  trail  of  his  game." 

"  Hercle  !  Nor  would  he  be  likely  to  catch  any  of 
his  game  were  his  hounds  too  fond  of  barking." 

"Ha,  ha!  it  is  unnecessary  for  some  of  them  to 
bark ;  their  sneaking  manner  betrays  them." 

"Nor  does  a  workman's  garb  and  false  beard 
change  a  centurion  into  a  hauler  of  sand,"  retorted 
the  slave  with  a  significant  grin.  Then  after  a  short 
pause  he  continued,  "  Come  now,  Prisons,  take  off 
thy  mask.  I  know  thy  motives.  Thou  art  in  love 
with  Herodion's  daughter,  as  I  once  was  with 
Herodion's  money.  If  thy  treasure  were  plucked 
from  thy  hands  as  thou  didst  pluck  that  casket  from 
mine,  thy  interest  in  the  Christians  would  soon 
change  into  hatred." 

This  unexpected  turn  in  the  conversation  tended 
to  confuse  the  centurion  at  first,  but  he  soon  regained 
his  self-possession.  He  was  partly  amused  and  partly 
offended  at  the  view  which  the  slave  took  of  his 
motives.  Therefore,  turning  to  him,  he  said, 

"  I  appreciate  thy  sagacity,  but  reject  thy  philoso^ 
phy.  To  be  a  good  hunter  is  not  to  be  a  good  phi 
losopher  ;  for  even  a  good  hunter  may  follow  his  game 
too  near  a  precipice." 

"  And  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing  may  be  led  with 
the  sheep  to  the  slaughter,"  retorted  the  slave,  still 
clinging  to  his  doubt  in  regard  to  the  centurion's 
sincerity,  and  hinting  at  a  possible  danger. 

They  had  now  reached  the  road  leading  to  the 
sand-pits  ;  and  the  conversation  ceased,  each  follow 
ing  a  different  course  from  this  point.  Neither  was 
sorry  at  the  separation,  for  each  regarded  the  other 
with  distrust. 

Reaching  the  entrance  to  the  sand-pits,  Priscus 
alighted  from  the  cart,  and  lighting  a  torch,  led  the  horse 
to  the  interior.  Coming  to  the  point  where  the  main 
passage  branched  off  into  minor  passages,  he  found 
himself  in  a  dilemma.  He  listened,  but  no  sounds 
greeted  his  ear.  He  peered  first  into  one  passage 


Friend  and  Foe.  65 

then  into  another,  but  he  saw  nothing  but  gloom. 
He  examined  the  ground,  but  without  any  satisfactory 
result.  At  last,  when  almost  discouraged,  his  eye 
caught  a  sudden  glimmer  of  light  in  one  of  the  pas 
sages  on  the  right,  and  he  exclaimed, 

"  Ho,  there  !  " 

Receiving  no  reply,  he  again  shouted, 

"  Ho,  there !     If  thou  art  a  Christian,  respond." 

This  time  a  voice  demanded  in  stentorian  tones, 
"  Who  art  thou,  and  what  dost  thou  want?  " 

"  A  friend,  who  wishes  to  see  Herodion." 

"  Come  this  way,  then,  friend." 

These  words  were  spoken  by  one  of  the  guards, 
who,  together  with  another,  had  seen  Priscus  enter 
the  main  passage,  and  had  sought  concealment  to 
await  further  development.  Arriving  at  the  spot 
where  the  light  had  appeared,  Priscus  found  himself 
in  the  presence  of  one  of  Servius's  slaves  who,  failing 
to  recognize  him,  examined  him  very  closely. 

"  What !  thou  here,  Atticus,"  said  the  centurion,  in 
a  voice  that  startled  the  guard. 

"  Who  art  thou  ? — thou  canst  not  be — ay,  thou  art 
Priscus,"  replied  Atticus,  with  much  apprehension, 
as  he  held  the  light  to  Priscus's  face. 

"  Thou  needst  have  no  fear ;  I  shall  do  thee  no 
harm,"  was  the  assuring  remark. 

"  Thou  hast  come  with  no  evil  design,  then  ?  " 

"  Thou  hast  my  word  for  it.     Lead  on." 

Being  reassured,  the  guard,  putting  his  left  hand  to 
one  side  of  his  mouth,  exclaimed, 

"  Ho,  Hermes !  " 

"  Is  there  peace  ?  "  asked  a  voice  in  an  adjoining 
passage. 

"  Peace,"  the  guard  replied.  Then  added,  "  Keep 
watch  in  the  main  passage  until  I  return." 

"  Thy  bidding  shall  be  done."  was  the  quick  re 
sponse. 

"  The  Lord  be  with  thee  !  " 

"  And  with  thee  !  " 

Atticus  now  led  the  way  to  the  desired  place,  fol- 


66  llebekah. 

lowed  by  Pilscus  driving  the  horse  and  cart  amidst 
the  clatter  of  hoofs  and  wheels,  which  awakened  a 
thousand  echoes  in  the  sand-pits  on  either  side. 

The  unusual  noise  thus  produced  attracted  the  at 
tention  of  the  refugees  some  time  before  the  cause  of 
it  arrived,  and  no  little  curiosity  and  excitement  pre 
vailed  among  them.  When  the  cart  stopped  in  front 
of  Herodion's  quarter,  all  flocked  around  the  guard 
and  the  driver,  plying  them  with  all  manner  of  ques 
tions.  Priscus,  however,  soon  restored  them  to  order, 
and  persuaded  them  to  return  to  their  places  by 
promising  that  Herodion  should  tell  them  all  he  knew 
of  public  interest. 

Not  the  least  excited  and  curious  in  the  crowd 
were  Rebekah  and  her  father.  The  latter  failing  to 
recognize  the  centurion,  whispered  to  his  daughter, 

"Who  is  he,  and  what  does  he  seek?  " 

To  which  Rebekah  replied,  with  some  embarrass 
ment,  "  I — I  think  he  is  our  friend  Priscus." 

"  That  fellow,  Priscus  ?  Surely  thou  art  mistaken, 
Rebekah,"  said  Herodion  aloud. 

"May  she  never  make  a  greater  mistake,"  remarked 
Priscus,  approaching  them  and  removing  his  disguise. 
Then,  after  exchanging  warm  greetings  with  his 
friends,  he  continued,  addressing  Rebekah, 

"  A  lily  were  no  more  out  of  place  in  a  dungeon 
than  you  here." 

"  Nor  would  a  ray  of  light  be  more  welcome  in  such 
a  place  than  the  face  of  a  friend  here,"  Rebekah 
laughingly  replied. 

"  I  fear  the  dampness  of  this  cold,  cheerless  place 
may  not  agree  with  your  health." 

"  True,  it  is  not  so  comfortable  as  your  sister's 
house,  but  we  might  have  fared  worse.  '  Better  is 
little  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  than  great  treasures 
and  trouble  therewith.' ' 

"  Since  you  cannot  at  present  return  to  my  sister's 
house,  I  have  decided  to  add  to  your  comfort  where 
you  are,"  said  Priscus,  pointing  to  the  cart.  Then 
turning  to  Herodion,  he  continued, 


Friend  and  Foe.  67 

"  Thy  assistance  for  a  moment,  friend." 

It  took  them  but  a  short  time  to  convey  the  box, 
already  mentioned,  to  the  recess,  and  to  remove  the 
cover.  It  contained,  besides  clothing  and  two  large 
rugs,  a  fair  supply  of  provisions.  Our  friends  wit 
nessed  these  things  with  much  pleasure,  and  their 
gratitude  knew  no  bounds.  The  scanty  supply  which 
they  had  brought  with  them  was  all  but  exhausted, 
and  they  were  wondering,  when  Priscus  arrived, 
whether  it  was  God's  will  to  add  hunger  to  the  list  of 
their  trials.  Under  such  circumstances  it  was  not 
strange  that  they  should  feel  elated.  Besides,  they 
had  heard  nothing  from  the  outside  world  since  their 
flight,  Priscus  being  the  first  to  visit  them.  Availing 
himself  of  this  opportunity,  Herodion  addressed  his 
friend,  saying, 

"  Since  thou  hast  been  so  kind  to  us,  permit  me  to 
tax  thy  goodness  still  further  by  inquiring  into  the 
condition  of  things  in  the  city.  Though  I  have  no 
kindred  there,  the  welfare  of  my  brethren  and  sisters 
in  Christ  is  very  dear  to  me." 

"  What  I  have  to  tell  you,  noble  friends,  will  but 
add  to  the  bitterness  of  your  cup.  Hence  it  is  with 
reluctance  I  comply  with  your  request.  Your  fears 
when  last  I  saw  you  were  not  groundless.  The  mon 
ster  who  calls  himself  the  Lord  of  Rome,  knowing  no 
pity,  respecting  no  law,  revels  in  a  carnival  of  blood 
shed.  The  sun  has  but  twice  run  his  course  since 
the  sentence  of  death  was  passed  on  all  Christians 
and  their  abettors;  yet  victims  not  a  few,  subjected 
to  the  most  horrible  torments  for  the  amusement  of 
the  populace,  have  sealed  their  faith  with  death. 
Saturday,  when  Nero  was  informed  of  your  escape, 
his  fury  knew  no  bounds ;  and  yesterday  he  wreaked 
the  full  measure  of  his  wrrath  upon  those  who  con 
fessed  tHeir  faith  in  Christ,  before  a  crowded  amphi 
theatre.  Among  his  victims  was  a  beautiful  maiden 
about  Rebekah's  age." 

"  Did  you  learn  her  name  ?  "  interrupted  Rebekah. 


68  Eebekah. 

"  Irene,  I  think  they  called  her — Irene,  the  daugh 
ter  of  Persis." 

A  sudden  outburst  of  emotion  followed  this  an 
nouncement,  the  martyred  maiden  being  Rebekah's 
most  intimate  friend. 

"  She  died  a  heroine's  death,"  continued  Priscus 
after  a  pause.  "  When,  covered  with  bear's  skin,  she 
was  being  torn  to  pieces  by  ferocious  dogs  in  the 
arena,  she  ceased  not  to  pray  for  her  persecutors,  and 
to  exhort  those  who  partook  of  the  same  fate  to  re 
main  steadfast  in  the  faith,  until  her  spirit  took  its 
flight.  Near  her  lay  an  old  man,  also  sewn  up  in 
the  skin  of  a  wild  beast,  who,  though  enfeebled  and 
emaciated  with  a  lingering  disease,  had  been  merci 
lessly  dragged  to  the  arena  to  suffer  with  the  rest." 

"Ah!  it  was  the  venerable  and  godly  Epenetus. 
May  he  rest  in  peace,'*  broke  in  Herodion  with  a  sigh. 
Then  after  a  pause  he  asked,  "Kuowest  thou  the 
names  of  the  others  ?  " 

"  None  except  that  of  Quintus  the  decurion." 

"  Ah  !  I  feared  he  would  be  among  the  victims,  for 
he  was  a  true  Christian.  Thinkest  thou  the  persecu 
tion  will  last  long  ?  " 

"Ay;  for  hundreds  of  the  rabble,  stimulated  by 
the  offer  of  great  rewards,  and  maddened  by  their 
thirst  for  blood,  search  every  street  and  house  for 
Christians.  One  of  them,  the  base  destroyer  of  your 
house,  rode  with  me  this  morning  in  the  cart.  His 
face  was  toward  Aricia,  whither,  no  doubt,  he  was 
attracted  by  the  hope  "of  securing  more  victims." 

"  Did  you  escape  his  recognition  ? "  inquired 
Rebekah  apprehensively. 

"  No  ;  his  prying  eyes  detected  my  disguise." 

"  Did  he  also  discover  your  mission  ?  " 

"  He  discovered  my  destination,  but  not  my 
mission." 

"  Ah,  then  you  are  in  his  toils  !  " 

"If  he  knew  me  as  I  know  him,  my  fate  indeed 
were  sealed.  But  he  judges  me  by  himself ;  hence  I 
fear  no  harm  from  him." 


"  Out  of  Darkness  into  Light''  69 

"  God  grant  that  thou  be  not  mistaken,"  said 
Herodion  earnestly.  "But  to  return  to  the  general 
feature  of  the  subject,  dost  thou  think  the  persecu 
tion  will  extend  to  the  Jewish  provinces  ?  " 

"  Not  at  present,  if  at  all." 

"Then  thinkest  thou  it  safe  for  us  to  go  to 
Csesarea?  We  should  have  gone  there  instead  of 
seeking  refuge  here  had  we  been  assured  of  safety." 

"  The  greatest  danger  lies  between  the  city  and 
Appii  Forum.  Your  journey  hence  to  Puteoli  would 
be  more  secure." 

"  Dost  thou  think  thy  strength  and  courage  equal 
to  this  long  and  perilous  journey,  Rebekah?  " 

"  What !  surely  thou  dost  not  expect  thy  daughter 
to  walk  to  Puteoli ! "  said  Priscus  with  surprise. 

"  Canst  thou  suggest  a  better  way  then,  friend  ?  " 

The  centurion  did  not  answer  this  question  imme 
diately,  but  knitting  his  brow  he  seemed  to  merge 
into  deep  thought.  When  his  answer  came,  it  caused 
the  faces  of  his  friends  to  light  up  with  pleasure. 
What  the  answer  was  will  appear  in  due  time. 

A  few  hours  later  Priscus  returned  to  the  city  with 
a  load  of  sand. 


CHAPTER   X. 

"OUT  OF  DARKNESS   INTO   LIGHT." 

THE  sun  was  disappearing  for  the  fourth  time  be 
low  the  horizon  since  Priscus's  visit  to  the  sand-pit, 
when  Rebekah  and  her  father,  with  a  mingled  feeling 
of  disappointment  and  anxiety,  sat  conversing  in 
their  dingy  quarter. 

"  Dost  thou  think  he  will  come  to-night,  father  ?  " 
inquired  Rebekah. 

"  I  cannot  tell,  my  child.  He  came  not  last 
night ;  he  may  not  come  to-night,"  was  her  father's 


reply. 
"Tl 


linkest  thou  that — that  any  evil  has  befallen 


70  Rebekah. 

him  ?  He  is  a  man  of  his  word,  and  does  not  disap 
point  us  willingly." 

"  His  undertaking  is  an  important  one,  Rebekah. 
He  may  have  met  with  unforseen  difficulties.  Let  us 
hope  that  he  is  safe,  and  that  God,  for  the  sake  of  his 
Anointed,  will  grant  him  success." 

"  Patience  is  a  hard  lesson  to  learn,  father." 

"It  is;  and  but  few  have  ever  learned  it  well. 
Forty  years  were  our  fathers  in  the  wilderness,  and 
forty  years  did  they  tempt  God  with  their  murmur- 
ings.  Moses,  the  meekest  of  men,  by  one  impatient 
act,  forfeited  his  right  to  the  Land  of  Promise ;  and 
Saul,  our  first  king,  by  rashness  lost  his  kingdom. 
When  God  tries  our  faith,  it  is  ours  to  wait  for  the 
hour  of  deliverance.  I  read  here  in  the  fortieth 
Psalm  the  experience  o£  Israel's  greatest  king  :  fc  I 
waited  patiently  for  the  Lord;  and  he  inclined  unto 
me,  and  heard  my  cry.  He  brought  me  up  also  out 
of  a  horrible  pit,  and  out  of  the  miry  clay,  and  set  my 
feet  upon  a  rock,  and  established  my  goings,  and  hath 
put  a  new  song  in  my  mouth.'  What  God  has  done, 

he  can  do  again.  May  He  give  us  faith  and . 

What  dost  thou  hear?" 

"  I  thought  I  heard  the  sound  of  footsteps.  There 
it  is  again  !  " 

"  I  hear  it  now.     It  must  be  Priscus." 

"It  is  ;  I  hear  his  voice.  Some  one  is  with  him," 
said  Rebekah  cheerfully.  But  a  cloud  spread  over 
her  countenance  as  she  added,  "Ah,  what  if  his  plans 
are  frustrated?" 

"  Where  is  thy  faith,  Rebekah,  where  is  thy  faith  ? 
Borrow  honey  and  not  wormwood,  hope  and  not  de 
spair  from  the  future." 

By  this  time  Priscus  had  reached  the  sand-pit, 
which,  after  dismissing  his  guide,  he  entered. 

"  Peace  to  thee,  O  noble  centurion,  and  to  all  thy 
kindred,"  said  Herodion,  as  Priscus  entered  the  re 
cess  ;  and  Rebekah  echoed  the  greeting. 

"  To  thee  be  also  peace,  good  Herodion,  and  to  thy 
fair  daughter,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 


"  Out  of  Darkness  into  Light:'  71 

44 1  hope  my  failure  to  appear  at  the  time  appointed 
has  not  caused  you  much  pain,"  continued  the  cen 
turion. 

"  Our  fear  for  your  safety  has  heen  greater  than  our 
disappointment,"  replied  Rebekah. 

"  Your  fear  was  not  groundless ;  for  I  narrowly  es 
caped  death  last  night." 

"  Ah,  the  monster  had  you  in  his  toils ! " 

"  Oh,  no ;  not  that.  My  danger  had  another  source. 
As  we  approached  the  Forum  on  our  way  here,  a 
drunken  slave,  as  careless  of  the  road  as  he  was  of  our 
lives,  drove  into  our  rheda,  his  heavy  carriage  tearing 
off  the  left  hind-wheel,  and  crushing  in  the  side.  Our 
horses,  terrified  by  the  noise,  became  unmanageable, 
and  ran  away,  killing  the  driver,  and  cutting  a  deep 
gash  in  Servius's  head.  I,  thank  God,  escaped 
almost  without  a  bruise." 

"It  was  a  terrible  accident !  I  hope  thy  brother-in- 
law  is  not  dead,"  said  Herodion. 

"  He  is  not  dead,  but  will  recover  soon.  He  is 
much  better  to-night." 

"  And  you — you  are  sure  you  have  not  been  badly 
hurt,"  faltered  Rebekah,  with  some  misgiving  that 
Priscus  had  concealed  the  real  extent  of  his  injury. 

"  Oh  no.  What  I  received  was  a  mere  scratch. 
But  to  continue  my  narrative  ;  having  run  among  the 
ruins  at  the  foot  of  the  Cselian  Hill,  the  horses,  trem 
bling,  stopped.  The  rest  I  need  not  tell  you.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that  a  rheda  with  two  horses  awaits  you  out 
side." 

"  God  is  good  to  us.  He  will  not  forget  this  kind 
service,"  said  Rebekah  with  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"  Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  weak  :  the  Lord 
will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble,"  was  Herodion 's 
apt  quotation,  as  he  tightened  his  girdle,  and  fixed  his 
eyes  on  the  centurion's  face. 

As  most  of  the  preparations  had  already  been  made, 
it  took  but  a  short  time  for  our  friends  to  get  ready  to 
start.  Before  they  started,  however,  their  compan 
ions  in  adversity  gathered  to  bid  them  God-speed,  and 


72  Rebekah, 

the  most  touching  scene  followed — a  scene  in  which 
joy  and  sorrow  played  a  prominent  part.  All  rejoiced 
with  Herodion  and  Rebekah  that  they  were  about  to 
leave  their  dismal  abode  ;  and  also  regretted  that  they 
had  to  part,  and  that  the  deliverance  was  not  general. 
Such  expressions  as,  "  May  God  be  with  you,"  and 
"  God's  will  be  done,"  were  frequently  repeated. 
When  all  demonstrations  of  friendship  and  love 
ceased,  Priscus  and  his  friends  departed,  preceded  by 
two  of  the  others,  while  the  rest  looked  after  them 
with  sorrowful  hearts  and  tearful  eyes. 

The  centurion  walked  beside  Rebekah,  and  Hero- 
dian,  divining  the  desires  of  the  young  couple,  soon 
made  some  excuse  for  joining  the  other  two.  Glad  of 
so  favorable  an  opportunity  to  give  expression  to  the 
burning  passion  which  Rebekah  had  kindled  in  his 
soul,  Priscus  now  surrendered  himself  to  her  in  a  very 
unsoldierlike  manner.  And  Rebekah  like  the  true 
maiden  that  she  was,  accepted  what  her  heart  had  al 
ready  taught  her  was  indispensable  to  her  happiness. 

We  will  not  attempt  to  describe  that  first  inter 
change  of  love,  and  of  loving  expressions  and  confi 
dences,  because  language  can  never  express  what  the 
heart  feels  on  such  an  occasion,  and  because  such  an 
event  is  far  too  sacred  to  be  subjected — even  if  that 
were  possible — to  the  scrutiny  of  an  uninterested  pen. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  they  were  so  happy  that  their 
subterranean  walk  appeared  far  too  short. 

Reaching  the  place  where  the  rheda  stood,  Re 
bekah  and  her  father  took  leave  of  the  two  friends 
that  had  accompanied  them  and  Priscus,  and  seating 
themselves  with  the  centurion  in  the  carriage,  they 
were  driven  away  from  the  sand-pits.  It  was  a  beau 
tiful  night ;  the  stars  twinkling  brightly  in  the  clear 
sky  as  they  did  on  the  night  in  which  they  left 
Servius's  house.  At  first  Rebekah  was  delighted  with 
the  evening  and  the  ride.  But  gradually  the  thought 
that  the  four-wheeled  vehicle  which  now  carried  them 
away  from  the  sand-pits  would  soon  bear  her  away 
from  Priscus,  gained  the  ascendancy  over  every  other 


"  Out  of  Darkness  into  Light"  73 

thought.  True,  he  was  with  her  now,  and  she  could 
catch  a  glimpse  of  his  handsome  but  sunburnt  face  by 
the  starlight ;  yet  the  expectation  of  a  speedy  separa 
tion  marred  the  happiness  that  would  otherwise  have 
been  complete. 

When  the  junction  of  the  sand-pit  road  with  the 
Via  Appia  was  reached  the  act  of  parting  lent  addi 
tional  force  to  the  thought.  But  each  sought  conso 
lation  in  the  hope  of  being  reunited  in  the  near 
future. 

A  crack  of  the  driver's  whip  caused  the  horses,  which 
were  unsurpassed  even  by  Nero's  horses,  to  start  off 
at  a  rapid  rate,  and  our  friends  sought  in  vain  to  catch 
another  glimpse  of  the  centurion.  The  tomb-lined 
portion  of  the  Via  Appia  had  been  left  far  in  the  rear, 
and  the  plain  of  Bovillse  was  reached  ere  either  of 
them  addressed  a  word  to  the  other.  Herodion  think 
ing  at  last  that  it  might  be  well  to  introduce  a  sub 
ject  which  was  entirely  foreign  to  that  which  was 
uppermost  in  their  minds,  aroused  himself  and  said, 

"  Did  I  ever  tell  thee,  Rebekah,  about  this  most 
ancient  of  Roman  ways  ?  " 

"  I  think  not,  father,"  said  Rebekah  absently. 

"  Since  it  is  our  way  to  safety,  it  may  be  well  for 
me  to  tell  thee  all  I  know  about  it.  It  was  com 
menced  by  Appius  Claudius  Ctecus,  and  was  the  first 
of  the  Roman  ways  ever  laid  upon  a  large  scale  and 
according  to  the  most  approved  methods.  In  its  con 
struction  a  large  amount  of  money  and  labor  was  ex 
pended,  the  irregularities  of  the  country  making  it 
necessary  to  bridge  many  ravines,  to  fill  up  many 
hollows,  to  cut  through  many  hills  and  rocks,  and  to 
bank  up  many  swamps.  Were  I  less  acquainted  with 
the  meaning  of  the  Scriptures,  I  would  be  inclined  to 
think  that  Isaiah  spoke  of  the  Via  Appia  when  he  said, 
"  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain 
and  hill  shall  be  made  low  ;  and  the  crooked  shall  be 
made  straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain."  As  thou 
seest,  it  is  perfectly  smooth — far  more  smooth  than 
the  streets  of  Jerusalem,  but  not  so  sacred  nor  so 
dear." 


74  Rebekah. 

Rebekah  tried  to  listen  to  her  father's  words ;  but 
her  mind  constantly  recurred  to  Prise  us  ;  hence  she 
knew  as  little  about  the  road  upon  which  they 
traveled  as  if  her  father  had  not  spoken.  Herodion 
seemed  to  realize  this,  for  during  the  ascent  of  six 
miles  to  Aricia  he  maintained  almost  absolute  silence. 
When  they  had  passed  the  town,  which  was  situated 
above  the  road,  he  again  tried  to  arouse  himself  and 
Rebekah. 

"  Didst  thou  see  those  base  fellows  looking  down 
upon  us  as  we  passed  through  Aricia?"  said  he. 

u  Yes,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

"  Had  they  known  who  and  what  we  are,  I  fear 
our  journey  would  have  ended  far  too  soon,  and  per 
haps  our  lives  also." 

"  Ah  !  that  would  have  been  terrible ! "  said  Re 
bekah  with  a  shudder. 

"  Ay,"  continued  Herodion  ;  "  but  thanks  to  the 
darkness,  or  rather  to  Him  who  causes  darkness  as 
well  as  light,  they  doubtless  thought  we  were  wealthy 
Romans  on  our  way  home  from  the  city." 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  be  other  than  I  am,"  was  the 
rather  cheerful  reply ;  "  but  I  have  no  objection  at 
present  to  being  taken  even  for  a  Philistine  if  that 
be  necessary  to  our  safety." 

"  At  the  rapid  rate  we  are  now  going  we  shall  soon 
be  where  we  can  breathe  more  freely.  Meanwhile, 
what  ails  thee  ?  " 

"  I  hear  a  strange  sound,"  said  Rebekah  apprehen 
sively.  "  Dost  thou  not  hear  it  ?  " 

Before  Herodion  had  time  to  reply,  the  driver 
brought  the  horses  to  a  sudden  stop,  and  said  hur 
riedly. 

"  We  are  being  pursued  !  A  troop  of  horse  is  on 
our  track,  else  I  am  greatly  mistaken  as  to  the  mean 
ing  of  that  heavy  tramping  and  that  clatter  of 
arms." 

"  In  God's  name,  hurry  on,  then,"  said  Herodion, 
much  alarmed,  "  Give  them  the  whip,  good  Ancus ; 
spare  them  not." 


"  Out  of  Darkness  into  Light*  75 

Scarcely  had  the  last  word  dropped  from  Hero- 
dion's  lips  ere  the  driver  sent  his  whip  writhing  and 
hissing  over  the  backs  of  the  horses,  and  while  they 
bounded  forward  like  startled  deer  he  remarked,  with 
a  smile  of  disdain, 

"  Let  them  come ;  they  must  outstrip  the  best 
horses  in  Rome  ere  they  overtake  us.  I  would,  how 
ever,  that  we  had  left  these  plagued  hills  behind. 
Come  Castor  !  now  Pollux!  show  your  mettle  to  our 
pursuers." 

The  spirited  steeds  now  dashed  forth  at  their 
highest  speed  across  the  crater-like  valley  lying 
beyond  Aricia,  and  climbed  up  and  down  the  south 
ern  slope  of  the  Alban  Mount  amidst  beautiful  villas 
and  gardens,  and  places  of  historic  interest.  The 
faster  they  sped,  however,  the  more  did  the  horse 
men  seem  to  gain  on  them,  and  the  more  excited  did 
Rebekah  and  her  father  become. 

"  Urge  them  on,  good  Ancus ;  urge  them  on  !  We 
must  go  faster,  else  we  are  as  good  as  dead,"  exclaimed 
Herodion. 

"Were  we  pursued  by  a  thousand  fiends  I  would 
not  urge  them  into  greater  speed.  I  am  less  anxious 
to  go  into  Hades  than  to  Tres  Tabernse,  and  so  are 
you,  if  I  mistake  not,"  said  the  driver  doggedly. 

"  Thou  hast  changed  thy  mind,  Ancus,"  said 
Rebekah.  "  Either  thy  horses  are  not  the  best  in 
Rome,  or  thou  art  not  our  friend.  In  either  case  our 
safety  lies  in  leaving  the  rheda  ere  our  pursuers  over 
take  us.  I  command  thee  then  to  stop  at  once  that 
we  may  alight." 

"  The  horses  and  myself  must  vindicate  our  char 
acter  another  time,  good  lady,  since  Fortune  has  not 
sent  us  light  enough  for  fast  traveling.  Meanwhile 
we  must  do  according  to  thy  command,  but  on  the 
condition  that  thou  and  thy  father  wait  for  our  re 
turn." 

It  took  but  a  moment  for  Herodion  and  Rebekah 
to  alight ;  but  they  did  so  none  too  soon  ;  for  as  the 
rheda  sped  away  again  the  horsemen  galloped  around 


76  .  Uebekah. 

a  turn  in  the  road,  and  rushed  madly  after  it.  Our 
friends  were  terribly  frightened  at  their  approach ; 
but  as  they  had  withdrawn  into  a  by-way  the  horse 
men  continued  their  course  utterly  unconscious  of 
their  presence.  They  listened  in  absolute  silence  un 
til  the  clatter  of  the  horses'  feet  on  the  pavement 
and  of  arms  had  almost  died  away  in  the  distance ; 
then  the  sudden  cessation  of  all  noise  caused  a  cry  of 
pain  to  escape  from  each  of  them,  for  they  realized 
that  the  rheda  was  at  last  overtaken.  While  they  be 
took  themselves  a  little  farther  from  the  road,  as  a 
precaution  against  capture  in  case  the  troop  should 
return,  they  heard  the  noise  again,  but  as  it  grew 
fainter  every  moment,  they  surmised  that  the  pur 
suers  continued  in  the  direction  of  Tres  Tabernse, 
and  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief.  There  being  no  im 
mediate  danger,  and  feeling  much  exhausted,  they 
seated  themselves  on  the  ground,  and  began  think 
ing  what  to  do  next. 

At  length  the  sound  of  a  vehicle  attracted  their 
attention ;  but  as  there  was  much  travel  on  the  Via 
Appia  they  did  not  fully  realize  that  it  was  the  rheda 
which  they  had  deserted  returning  for  them,  until  it 
stopped  and  they  heard  a  signal  from  the  driver. 
Then,  with  a  mingled  feeling  of  hope  and  fear,  they 
retraced  their  steps  to  the  road,  and  thanking  the 
driver  warmly  for  his  fidelity,  they  were  soon  pur 
suing  their  old  course.  But  they  were  not  perfectly 
reassured  until  they  heard  all  that  had  happened  to 
him  after  they  left  the  rheda. 

"  We  were  fools — thy  pardon,  good  lady  for  using 
the  term,"  said  the  driver,  settling  himself  in  his  seat  as 
the  horses  proceeded  at  a  moderate  gait ;  "  we  were 
all  fools  to  be  so  alarmed  while  there  was  no  real 
cause  for  it." 

"  Thou  art  certainly  mistaken  there,  my  Ancus," 
said  Herodion,  interrupting  him.  "  We  never  had 
any  cause  of  alarm  if  we  did  not  to-night." 

"  Ha,  ha !  I  also  thought  so  until  the  horsemen 
overtook  me.  But  when  I  learned  that  they  were  m 


"Out  of  Darkness  into  Light"  77 

pursuit  of  one  of  Rome's  most  wealthy  citizens,  who, 
suspecting  that  Caesar  loved  him  less  than  his  posses 
sions,  escaped  from  the  imperial  city  about  the  time 
we  started,  I  was  far  from  being  on  good  terms  with 
myself." 

"  Then  they  thought  the  rheda  they  so  vigorously 
pursued  contained  the  wealthy  Roman?"  said  Re 
bekah. 

"  Ay ;  some  of  the  loafers  who  saw  us  drive  past 
Aricia  had  hinted  to  them  that  our  horses  sped  far 
too  fast  to  be  driven  by  innocent  persons." 

"  So  those  sons  of  Belial  did  think  we  were  wealthy 
Romans  after  all,  Rebekah,"  remarked  Herodion ; 
"  but  instead  of  regarding  us  as  returning  from  the 
city,  they  surmised  that  we  were  fleeing  from  it. 
But  go  on,  Ancus.  Was  not  the  horsemen's  suspi 
cion  aroused  when  they  saw  the  rheda  empty  ?  " 

"  Perpol !  you  would  have  thought  so  had  you  seen 
their  menaces.  Nor  could  I  for  a  long  time  convince 
them  that  the  object  of  their  pursuit  was  much 
farther  from  my  knowledge  than  their  swords  were 
from  my  head.-  I  told  them  that  I  belonged  to  the 
house  of  Servius — which  is  perfectly  true — and  that 
I  had  been  dispatched  to  Puteoli  to  fetch  a  favorite 
surgeon  to  dress  my  master's  wounds,  which  also 
might  be  true." 

"Thou  shouldst  not  depart  from  the  truth,  good 
friend,  even  to  escape  from  a  difficulty,"  remonstrated 
Rebekah. 

"  True ;  but  if  Truth's  arm  be  not  long  enough  to 
pluck  one  from  a  predicament,  he  must  creep  out  as 
best  he  can,  even  though  it  be  through  the  crevice  of 
deceit." 

"  I  agree  not  with  thee  there.  He  should  tell  the 
truth  and  trust  in  God." 

"  Then  I  should  have  told  those  blood-hounds  that 
two  Christians  had  just  deserted  the  rheda,  and  thus 
set  them  on  the  trail  of  a  game  of  another  sort! 
Your  Christian  philosophy  may  work  well  in  peace- 


78  Rebekah. 

ful  and  easy  circumstances  ;  but  in  such  straits  as  I 
have  been  in  to-night  it  fails  utterly." 

"  If  our  philosophy  be  not  Adequate  to  the  emer 
gencies  of  life,  there  is  none  that  is.  But  tell  us 
about  the  fruits  of  thy  philosophy.  Was  the  com 
mander  of  the  horse  satisfied  with  thy  explanation?  " 

"  No,  not  at  first ;  but  presently  one  of  his  men 
came  to  my  assistance  by  saying  that  he  knew  I  was 
one  of  Servius's  servants,  and  that  what  I  said  must 
be  true,  since  it  is  known  to  the  whole  city  that  my 
master  has  met  with  a  severe  accident.  Then  the 
commander  started  off  at  the  head  of  the  troop,  mutter 
ing  something  about  having  wasted  so  much  time 
with  'that  confounded  slave',  and  I  soon  found  it 
safe  to  return  for  you." 

"Dost  thou  know  what  course  they  intended  to 
pursue  from  here?"  asked  Herodion. 

"No;  but  I  heard  one  of  the  horsemen  say  some 
thing  about  going  to  Antium." 

"  I  hope  they  have  gone  there,  for  I  have  no  desire 
to  be  molested  by  them  again,"  remarked  Rebekah. 

Here  the  conversation  dropped,  as  they  were  enter 
ing  Tres  Tabernse,  and  the  next  instant  they  stopped 
before  one  of  the  inns  which  gave  the  place  its  name, 
and  sought  the  refreshment  which  they  and  the  horses 
so  much  needed. 

Rebekah  was  sleeping  soundly  after  her  long  and 
exciting  ride,  when  her  father,  with  an  alarmed  look 
on  his  face,  startled  her  with  the  hurried  words, 

"  Awake,  my  daughter !  awake !  We  must  leave 
this  place  at  once  !" 

"  Ah !  I  thought  I  heard  them  come !  " 

"Who?" 

"  Those  bloodthirsty  horsemen." 

"  Thou  art  mistaken,  my  daughter ;  our  danger  has 
another  source.  I  fear  that  Demetrius  the  slave 
knows  we  are  here  !  " 

"  What !  he  that  destroyed  our  house  !  " 

"The  same.  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  hateful 
countenance  through  that  door  but  a  moment  since." 


u  Out  of  Darkness  into  Light. '*  79 

4  Then  let  us  flee  for  our  lives !  Tell  Ancus  to 
make  ready  at  once  !  " 

"  All  is  ready.  Come,  follow  me,  and  let  thy  tread 
be  as  light  as  the  dawn  upon  the  mountain." 

Their  effort  to  reach  the  carriage  in  silence  was  not 
successful,  for  as  they  threaded  their  way  through  the 
darkness  they  stumbled  over  half  a  dozen  objects,  and 
set  all  the  dogs  in  the  neighborhood  barking.  It 
seemed  to  them  an  age  before  they  were  seated  in  the 
rlieda,  and  as  they  drove  away  they  imagined  that 
their  heart-beats  were  far  louder  than  the  clatter  of 
the  horses'  hoofs.  In  their  excitement  they  also 
thought  they  were  pursued  nearly  all  the  way  to 
Appii  Forum.  For  the  next  fifteen  miles  to  Terra- 
cina,  however,  they  felt  more  reassured,  owing  partly 
to  the  increasing  distance  from  Rome,  and  partly  to 
the  exhilarating  effect  of  the  morning  sun. 

On  arriving  at  Terracina  they  made  another  stop, 
this  time  at  the  house  of  a  Christian  friend ;  and  they 
did  not  start  again  until  sunset  the  next  day,  which 
was  Sunday.  Like  all  the  early  Christians  they  were 
very  strict  in  their  observance  of  the  Lord's  day,  and 
many  modern  Christians  would  do  well  to  profit  by 
their  example. 

Resuming  their  journey  they  passed  through  many 
places  of  interest,  and  among  them  Formise,  whose 
long  street,  beautiful  bay,  and  attractive  villas  and 
gardens  combined  to  make  it  a  favorite  retreat  for 
noble  Romans.  Herodion  regretted  that  Rebekah 
could  not  see  its  beauty  on  account  of  the  darkness  ; 
but  he  pointed  out  to  her  the  spot  where  Cicero  had 
been  murdered  by  some  of  Antony's  soldiers.  He 
did  not  fail  to  call  her  attention  to  Miiituwise  also,  as 
a  city  that  had  been  rendered  famous  by  the  valiant 
deeds  of  Marius's  mature  life.  As  their  journey  was 
now  free  from  alarming  experiences,  Rebekah  was  in 
a  good  mood  to  listen  to  her  father's  interesting 
remarks. 

In  due  time  they  reached  Puteoli,  where  they 
received  a  hearty  welcome  at  the  house  of  Aristobu- 
lus,  one  of  Paul's  particular  friends. 


80  Rebekah. 


CHAPTER  XL 

AN   UNEXPECTED    DELAY. 

IN  the  cool  of  the  evening,  as  the  driver  pursued 
his  journey  homeward  with  a  letter  from  Rebekah  to 
Priscus,  the  former  sat  conversing  with  one  of  Aris- 
tobulus's  daughters  in  the  guest  chamber. 

"  Hast  thou  ever  seen  the  imperial  city  ? "  asked 
Rebekah. 

"  No,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  and  if  report  be  true — as 
it  must  be,  seeing  that  thou  and  thy  father  are  living 
witnesses  of  it — I  am  not  anxious  to  mingle  with  its 
inhabitants." 

"All  Romans  are  not  of  Nero's  mold." 

"  Oh,  no ;  I  have  seen  one  noble  exception.  Know- 
est  thou  Paul  the  Apostle?  " 

"He  is  my  uncle;  therefore  not  a  Roman." 

"Thy  uncle!  I  knew  he  was  not  a  Roman;  but 
when  he  staid  here  on  his  way  to  Rome  he  was  under 
the  charge  of  a  centurion  called  Julius  Priscus,  a 
Roman  of  no  mean  qualities.  Dost  thou  know  him?  " 

"No;  but  the  name  sounds  familiar." 

"The  last  day  Paul  was  here,  the  centurion  ate 
bread  with  us,  and  as  he  took  his  leave  he  turned  to 
me  and  laughingly  said,  '  Could  I  renew  my  youth  as 
I  can  my  youthful  recollections,  fair  maiden,  I  would 
try  to  steal  thy  heart.  But  I  have  a  son  who  may 
perform  that  feat.' ' 

"  The  son  may  not  be  equal  to  the  father,"  said 
Rebekah  with  a  smile. 

"  According  to  thy  father,  the  younger  Priscus  is 
the  more  excellent  of  the  two,"  was  the  significant 
reply. 

"Are  there  no  noble  Romans  in  Puteoli?" 

"  None  that  I  have  seen." 

"  The  excellence  of  some  Jew  may  have  caused 
thee  to  set  thy  standard  too  high." 


An    Unexpected  Delay.  81 

"  Jews  lose  nothing  by  being  compared  with 
Romans,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

This  caused  a  short  pause  in  the  conversation,  at 
the  close  of  which  the  host's  daughter  remarked, 

"  I  am  sorry  thou  and  thy  father  cannot  stay  longer 
with  us.  Can  you  not  remain  until  the  next  ship 
arrives  ?  " 

"  Much  as  we  would  like  to  stay,  I  fear  it  would 
not  be  wisdom  to  let  the  ship  which  leaves  to 
morrow  go  without  us.  As  thou  knowest,  the 
autumnal  storms  must  soon  set  in,"  said  Rebekah. 

"  Why  not  stay  until  spring  ?  Our  city  is  not  so 
famous  or  important  as  Rome,  nor  as  beautiful  as 
Csesarea  ;  yet  it  is  not  without  its  attractions." 

"  I  care  not  for  the  attractions  of  the  city  so  much 
as  for  thy  company  and  thy  sister's.  Since  the  per 
secution  has  deprived  me  of  my  old  companions,  I 
have  felt  like  a  bird  that  has  lost  its  mate." 

Rebekah  was  favorably  impressed  with  her  new 
acquaintance,  and  she  continued  to  converse  with  her 
until  after  sunset.  When  the  maiden  was  gone  she 
reclined  upon  a  divan  near  the  window  and  began  to 
think  of  Priscus.  She  summoned  before  her  mind  in 
rapid  succession  each  of  the  strange  experiences 
through  which  she  had  lately  passed,  and  found  her 
lover  either  directly  or  indirectly  associated  with 
them  all. 

"  Ah !  "  said  she  to  herself,  "  how  fortunate  that  we 
became  acquainted  with  him  when  we  did.  Doubt 
less  I  should  have  perished  with  the  servants  had  he 
not  come  to  my  rescue ;  and  how  kind  it  was  of  him 
to  find  shelter  for  us  in  his  sister's  home,  and  to  aid 
our  escape  here  !  Would  that  I  could  see  him  once 
more.  How  I  used  to  enjoy  his  manly  presence ; 
how  his  words  made  my  heart  thrill !  But  I  fear  we 
shall  not  meet  again  soon.  Rome  is  far  from  here  ; 
how  much  farther  from  Csesarea !  Can  it  be  that  God 
has  brought  us  together  only  to  be  separated  forever 
when  our  acquaintance  was  just  ripening  into  friend- 


82  RebekaJi. 

ship  ?  All !  I  cannot  belieye  it ;  something  tells  me 
we  shall  meet  again  !  " 

While  she  indulged  in  these  reflections  she  knew 
not  that  she  was  soon  to  pass  through  an  other  crisis  ; 
nor  did  her  father,  when  he  promised  to  awaken  her 
early  next  morning,  imagine  that  another  sorrow  was 
about  to  overtake  him  ;  yet  such  was  the  fact. 
During  the  night  Rebekah  was  seized  with  a  malig 
nant  fever,  which  threatened  to  upset  all  their  plans 
and  blight  all  their  earthly  hopes  forever. 

We  can  better  imagine  than  describe  the  feelings 
of  Herodion  as  he  witnessed  the  delirium  of  his 
beloved  daughter,  and  watched  the  struggle  between 
her  flickering  life  and  the  raging  disease.  One 
moment  he  was  almost  overwhelmed  with  despair; 
the  next,  he  consoled  himself  with  the  thought  that 
He  who  had  brought  them  thus  far  on  their  journey 
would  not  separate  them  now.  Thus  he  vacillated 
between  hope  and  fear  day  after  day,  until  the  physi 
cian  declared  the  crisis  had  passed. 

"  How  sudden  do  our  sorrows  overtake  us,"  said  he, 
addressing  his  host,  u  and  how  dark  the  sky  of  our 
hopes  looks  when  the  clouds  of  affliction  are  hovering 
above  us.  When  we  came  under  thy  hospitable  roof 
our  future  seemed  clear  and  bright,  and  our  faith  was 
strong.  But  another  day  revealed  how  changeable 
our  lives  are,  and  how  weak  our  hearts." 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,"  was  the  reply.  "  In  the 
hour  of  prosperity  we  forget  that  we  are  dust.  Our 
courage  seems  boundless,  and  our  expectations  soar 
like  eagles  far  above  the  clouds  of  earth.  If  for 
a  moment  we  glance  at  possible  difficulties  they 
appear  in  the  distance  like  mole-hills  and  not  like 
mountains.  But  the  hand  of  affliction  is  scarcely  laid 
upon  us  ere  our  courage  dies,  and  our  expectations 
fall  wingless  to  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth.  Our 
difficulties  also  assume  infinite  proportions,  and  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  is  nigh." 

"  Yet  the  cup  of  sorrow  makes  the  cup  of  joy  more 
sweet,"  said  Herodion.  "  It  seems  I  never  was  so 


An   Unexpected  Delay.  83 

happy  as  I  am  now.  My  daughter  is  to  me  as  one 
raised  from  the  dead.  Mary  and  Martha  could  not 
have  been  happier  when  our  Lord  brought  their 
brother  back  to  life  than  I  am  now.  Ah  !  I  could  not 
live  without  my  darling  child.  She  is  the  light  of  my 
life." 

As  he  uttered  the  closing  sentence  he  entered  the 
sick-room,  and  rinding  that  Rebekah  was  asleep  he 
stole  to  the  bedside  and  fixed  a  loving  gaze  upon  her 
face.  Although  she  was  very  thin  and  pale,  she  never 
appeared  more  beautiful  to  him.  She  was  the  idol  of 
his  heart.  Presently,  as  if  she  felt  the  gaze  of  her 
father,  she  awoke,  and,  greeting  him  with  a  smile, 
said, 

"  I  feel  much  better  to-day." 

"  God  be  praised,  my  child,  for  such  good  news," 
said  Herodion. 

"  Dost  thou  think  I  shall  recover  before  the  tenth 
of  Tishri?" 

"I  fear  not,  my  daughter,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Then  we  cannot  sail  for  Csesarea  until  spring." 

"  No;  for  after  the  autumnal  storms  begin,  naviga 
tion  will  be  unsafe  in  these  seas." 

"  I  am  sorry,  father,  that  my  illness  has  interfered 
with  thy  plans." 

"  It  is  not  thy  fault,  Rebekah  ;  it  is  no  one's  fault. 
The  chastening  of  the  Lord  must  needs  come.  Let 
us  be  thankful  that  the  Lord's  hand  is  not  heavier 
upon  us." 

"  I  think  some  one  seeks  thee  at  the  door,  father." 

"  This  is  a  propitious  day  for  us,  Rebekah,"  said 
Herodion,  returning  from  the  door  with  a  letter  in  his 
hand.  "  This  one  is  for  thee.  Knowest  thou  the 
seal  ?  "  he  added  as  he  handed  it  to  her. 

"The  seal  is — is  the  centurion's,  as  is  also  the 
handwriting,"  she  said  with  a  smile  as  she  broke  the 
seal.  Then  returning  the  letter  to  her  father  she 
continued,  "  The  message  is  mine,  but  being  thy 
daughter  thou  shouldst  share  my  secrets.  Read ;  J 
am  a  good  listener." 


84  Rebekah. 

The  letter  commenced  as  follows : 

"  ROME,  IY.  KAL.  SEPT. 

"  Priscus  to  Rebekah. 

"O  My  Venus  !  It  was  with  a  heavy  heart  and  great  fears  I 
wrote  the  previous  letter  to  thee.  Ah,  how  could  I  feel  happy 
when  an  angry  blast  threatened  to  blight  the  lily  of  my  hopes,  and 
to  quench  the  bright  light  of  my  life  ?  But  now  I  thank  thy  God 
and  mine  that  the  threatened  evil  has  been  thrust  aside,  and 
rejoice  that  thou  art  in  a  state  of  convalescence.  My  constant 
prayer  is  for  thee.  Sleep  always  finds  me  thinking  of  thee.  Thou 
art  the  inspiration  of  my  dreams  ;  and  returning  consciousness 
never  comes  without  thoughts  of  thee.  Had  I  the  sandals  which 
the  nymphs  gave  Perseus,  thou  shouldst  see  me  oft;  or  had  I  the 
prefect's  permission,  the  fleetest  horses  in  Rome  should  bear  me  to 
thee." 

It  was  a  long  letter,  and  it  continued  to  the  end  in 
the  loving  strain  with  which  it  commenced.  As 
Rebekah  listened  to  it  her  heart  was  thrilled  with 
pleasure,  and  her  eyes  glistened  with  tears  of  joy. 
The  words  that  she  heard  had  a  far  better  effect  upon 
her  than  any  medicine  that  her  physician  could  pre 
scribe,  and  she  looked  forward  with  delight  to  the 
arrival  of  another  letter. 

Although  her  recovery  was  slow,  she  had  gained 
enough  strength  at  the  end  of  two  weeks  from  this 
time  to  be  able  to  sit  up  in  bed  with  the  support  of 
pillows.  From  the  commencement  of  her  sickness, 
her  host  and  his  family  did  all  in  their  power  to  aid 
her  recovery  and  to  relieve  her  father  from  care  and 
anxiety.  It  is  not  strange  then  that  when  the  daugh 
ters  of  Aristobulus  found  that  she  was  able  to  sit  up, 
they  persuaded  Herodion  to  leave  her  in  their  charge 
for  a  while. 

"  How  glad  we  are  to  find  thee  so  well  to-day," 
said  the  elder  daughter  as  she  arranged  Rebekah's 
hair. 

"  And  how  delightful  it  will  be  to  have  thee  and 
thy  father  stay  with  us  till  spring,"  added  the 
younger  as  she  sat  watching  her  sister. 

"  The  honey  that  Samson  found  in  the  vineyards  of 
Timnath  was  not  sweeter  than  your  words  are  to  me. 


An   Unexpected  Delay.  85 

But  I  fear  I  shall  exhaust  your  patience  before  we 
take  our  departure,"  remarked  Rebekah. 

"  Thou  canst  do  no  mischief,  O  Samson,  seeing 
that  a  Delilah  has  her  hands  in  thy  hair,"  said  the 
younger  sister,  and  they  all  laughed. 

"  Or  if  the  hands  of  a  Delilah  cannot  subdue  thee, 
maybe  the  voice  of  a  Rachel  can.  Come  sister,  tell 
her  one  of  the  tales  we  heard  from  Theophilus  the 
Athenian,"  said  the  other. 

"Which  one?" 

"  That  one  about  Narkissos  and  Echo." 

tc  Yes,  go  on ;  my  ears  were  made  to  listen,"  re 
marked  Rebekah  with  an  encouraging  gesture. 

And  the  maiden  directly  began  : 

"  On  the  banks  of  the  River  Kephisos  sat  the  hand 
some  Narkissos  mourning  for  his  twin  sister,  whom 
Hermes  had  borne  away  beyond  the  Stygian  River. 
Echo,  a  beautiful  maiden  was  in  love  with  him  ;  but 
he  cared  not  for  her  love.  As  he  sat  there  from  day 
to  day,  Echo  came  to  him  and  said,  '  Look  on  me;  I 
am  fairer  than  she  for  whom  thou  dost  mourn.'  But 
he,  answering  her  not  a  word,  looked  in  silence  into 
the  clear  water,  and  saw  Jiis  face  imaged  there.  It 
seemed  to  him  like  the  face  of  his  departed  sister, 
whose  soft  blue  eyes  he  thought  he  saw  again,  and 
whose  sweet  words  he  almost  heard  dropping  from 
her  lips.  Again  Echo  spoke  to  him,  4  Ah,  Narkissos, 
thou  mournest  for  one  who  cannot  heed  thy  sorrow, 
and  thou  carest  not  for  her  who  longs  to  see  thy  face 
and  hear  thy  voice  forever.'  But  he  heard  her  not. 
Gazing  at  the  face  in  the  water  he  slept  and  died. 
Then  Echo's  voice  was  heard  no  more  ;  but  she  sat  in 
solitude  at  his  grave,  and  a  beautiful  flower  which 
the  people  of  that  country  call  after  the  young  man's 
name,  sprang  up  at  her  feet,  its  white  blossoms 
drooping  over  the  place  where  Narkissos  had  sat  and 
died." 

"Oh,  that  is  beautiful,"  exclaimed  Rebekah  en 
thusiastically  when  the  maiden  paused.  "  Hast  thou 
another  like  it,  Rachel  ?  " 


86  Bebekah. 

"I  have;  but  let  Esther  tell  thee  how  Daphne 
escaped  from  Apollo,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Yes,  tell  me  about  Daphne  and  Apollo,"  begged 
Rebekah  as  Esther  took  a  seat  beside  her  sister. 

"  My  father  says  that  obedience  is  a  jewel ;  there 
fore  listen,  O  daughter  of  Herodion,  and  thou  child 
of  Aristobulus,"  said  Esther  with  a  flourishing  ges 
ture  and  mock  gravity. 

"In  the  vale  of  Tempe,  beneath  the  heights  of 
Olympos,  where  flows  the  river  Peneios  toward  the 
sea,  was  born  a  beautiful  maiden  called  Daphne. 
Nimble  as  a  doe,  and  fresh  as  the  morning,  she  roamed 
over  hill  and  dale  and  climbed  the  highest  peaks 
to  watch  the  sun  coming  forth  as  a  strong  man  to  run 
a  race,  or  disappearing  below  the  horizon  in  his 
chariot  of  fire.  Her  beauty  brought  many  a  noble 
youth  to  her  feet,  but  she  hearkened  not  to  the  voice 
of  love.  While  other  maidens  talked  of  their  lovers 
she  wandered  in  solitude  among  the  hills. 

"  Standing  one  day  on  the  slopes  of  Ossa,  a  glorious 
form  appeared  before  her,  and  a  glance  at  his  hand 
some  face,  as  it  shone  in  the  morning  light,  told  her 
that  he  was  no  other  than  Phoebus  Apollo.  As  he 
stood  there  she  heard  him  say,  4 1  have  found  thee, 
Child  of  the  Morning.  Others  thou  hast  cast  aside  ; 
but  from  me  thou  canst  not  escape.  I  have  sought 
thee  long,  and  now  I  will  make  thee  mine.'  With 
flushed  cheeks  and  flashing  eyes  she  answered,  'I 
know  no  love  nor  bondage.  I  live  free  among  the 
streams  and  hills,  and  to  none  will  I  yield  my  free 
dom.'  Then  seeing  the  angry  look  on  Apollo's  face, 
she  fled  away  with  the  swiftness  of  lightning,  closely 
pursued.  But  swift  as  she  sped  Apollo  ran  faster. 
As  she  neared  the  home  of  her  childhood  she  grew 
faint  and  dizzy ;  but  as  Apollo  was  about  to  grasp 
her  flying  robe,  she  cried,  c  Father  Peneios,  receive 
thy  child,'  and  rushed  into  the  stream,  the  water  clos 
ing  over  her  forever.  Thus  did  she  escape  from 
Phoebus  Apollo,  who,  mourning  his  mad  chase,  said, 
'I  have  punished  myself  for  my  folly;  the  light  of 


The   Voyage.  87 

morning  is  taken  out  of  the  day,  I  must  go  on  alone 
till  my  journey  ends.'  At  his  word  a  laurel  came  up 
where  Daphne  had  sprung  into  the  stream  and  in  it 
her  name  lives  forever." 

She  paused,  and  Rebekah  faintly  clapped  her 
hands. 

"  You  have  done  well,  daughters  of  Aristobulus. 
Your  tales  are  beautiful,  but  not  perfect.  Narkissos 
did  well  to  love  his  sister ;  but  he  also  should  have 
loved  Echo.  I  like  Daphne's  love  of  freedom,  but 
not  her  indifference  to  manly  beauty  and  to  the  value 
of  life." 

"  What  now,  Rebekah  ?  Dost  thou  play  the  part 
of  a  philosopher  ?  "  inquired  Herodion,  entering  the 
room  as  his  daughter  uttered  the  last  phrase. 

"  Oh,  no ;  she  only  plays  the  part  of  a  critic,"  was 
Esther's  remark  as  she  and  her  sister  rose  to  leave 

"Must  you  go  so  soon?  Then  you  must  come 
again  to-morrow.  I  shall  need  more  of  your  medi 
cine.  God  be  with  you." 

"  And  with  thee,"  was  the  reply  as  they  passed  out. 

Rebekah  continued  to  improve,  and  was  soon  able 
to  visit  the  apartment  of  her  young  friends. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  VOYAGE. 

AMONG  the  many  ships  which  frequented  the  har 
bor  of  Puteoli  were  the  Alexandrian  corn-vessels. 
One  of  these  having  been  the  first  to  arrive  after  the 
opening  of  navigation  in  the  spring,  was  now  getting 
ready  to  leave  the  harbor.  It  differed  in  many 
respects  from  modern  ships.  Its  hull  was  not  finely 
laid ;  it  was  steered  by  two  paddle-rudders ;  it  had 
but  one  mast,  and  one  large  sail  fastened  to  an  enor 
mous  yard;  and  its  prow  was  ornamented  on  both 
sides  with  painted  figures.  In  size  it  differed  little 
from  the  average  trading  vessel  of  to-day,  having  a 


88  RebekaL 

capacity  of  about  a  thousand  tons.  The  report  that 
it  was  about  to  sail  for  Alexandria  had  attracted  a 
large  crowd  of  idle  and  curious  spectators  to  the 
landing — which  was  built  in  the  form  of  large  arcades 
supported  by  thirteen  pillars — and  these  now  stood 
gazing  at  the  heterogeneous  flood  of  human  beings 
that  was  pouring  into  the  ship.  Jews,  Romans, 
Greeks,  Egyptians,  Ethiopians,  Arabs,  and  a  sprin 
kling  of  Gauls  and  Britons  passed  them  in  the  greatest 
hurry,  each  wearing  his  peculiar  costume,  bearing  his 
own  burden,  and  jabbering  away  at  a  great  rate. 

"  By  Hercules  !  there  goes  Atlas  with  the  world  on 
his  shoulders,"  said  one  of  the  crowd,  pointing  to  a 
Jewish  pedler  with  an  enormous  pack  hastening  into 
the  ship. 

"  Ha,  ha !  and  there  go  the  Furies,  by  Castor,"  said 
another,  as  three  negresses  went  by. 

"  It  were  more  polite  to  call  them  the  three  Graces," 
remarked  a  third  speaker  with  mock  gravity. 

Thus  each  idler  tried  to  amuse  himself  and  those 
around  him  at  the  expense  of  the  passengers.  In  the 
meantime  the  sailors  helped  to  increase  the  confusion 
by  their  cries  as  they  were  engaged  in  their  work ; 
while  Rebekah  and  her  father  stood  in  the  stern  of 
the  ship,  the  latter  conversing  with  Aristobulus,  and 
the  former  with  his  children.  They  all  seemed  much 
interested,  and  enjoyed  the  invigorating  air,  the  sweet 
music  floating  on  the  breeze,  and  the  grand  panorama 
spread  before  them  that  beautiful  spring  morning.  To 
Rebekah  the  scene  was  altogether  new,  and  she  felt 
as  though  she  had  been  conveyed  into  an  earthly 
paradise. 

"  Come,  Jonathan ;  thy  sisters'  tongues  have  often 
feasted  my  ears;  let  thine  now  aid  my  eyes.  The 
objects  we  see  must  have  names  and  a  history ;  but 
to  me  they  have  neither." 

Thus  Rebekah  spoke,  addressing  Aristobulus's 
son 

"  I  had  rather  Esther  would  enlighten  thee,  seeing 


The   Voyage.  89 

that  her  tongue  is  more  loosely  hung  than  mine,"  was 
the  laughing  reply. 

"Thou  shalt  feel  that  it  is  also  sharper  than  thine 
if  thou  holdest  not  thy  peace,"  said  Esther. 

"Ha,  ha  !  if  it  be  as  sharp  as  the  sting  of  that  bee 
that  stung  me  yesterday,  I  have  no  desire  to  be  in 
thy  place,  brother,"  laughed  Rachel. 

"  A  sharp  tongue,  like  a  sharp  sword,  loses  its  edge 
by  striking  too  oft  against  a  shield.  My  feeling  is 
steeled  against  your  tongues,  sisters ;  hence  keep 
them  sheathed,"  was  Jonathan's  reply.  Then  he 
asked,  "  Where  shall  I  begin,  Rebekah?  " 

"  With  that  town,  yonder." 

"  That  town  is  Baiae,  a  favorite  resort  of  noble 
Romans;  which  means  the  abode  of  luxury  and  lust, 
and  the  haunt  of  vice.  Those  ruins  this  side  of  the 
town  are  the  remains  of  the  fantastic  bridge  built  by 
Caligula.  That  headland  yonder  is  Misenum,  and 
those  islands  to  the  west,  under  whose  shelter  thou 
seest  the  imperial  fleet  at  anchor,  are  Ischia  and 
Procida." 

"  What  is  that  headland  to  the  south  ?  " 

"  That  is  the  promontory  of  Minerva,  and  the  island 
opposite  is  Caprese,  which  is  composed  of  two  moun 
tain  masses,  the  highest  and  largest  being  1,900  feet 
high,  and  the  lowest  860  feet.  On  a  shelving  rock 
at  the  base  of  the  latter  lies  the  town  of  Caprese  with 
its  twelve  grand  villas  built  in  honor  of  the  twelve 
principal  gods  by  Tiberius,  whose  mad  conduct  during 
the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  filled  the  place  with  evil 
associations.  West  of  the  town  and  entered  from  the 
sea  through  a  narrow  opening  is  a  large  cave,  adorned 
with  the  most  beautiful  colors.  There  to  the  north 
stands  Cumse,  and  yonder,  nestling  among  the  hills, 
is  a  lake,  near  which  is  the  Sibyl's  Cave." 

Here  the  attention  of  all  was  called  by  Rachel  to 
the  street  leading  to  the  harbor.  Looking  in  this 
direction  they  saw  a  body  of  soldiers  advancing 
towards  the  ship.  First  came  a  body  of  light-armed 
soldiers;  then  a  column  of  heavy-armed  infantry; 


90  ttebekah. 

next  a  guard  of  cavalry  headed  by  a  mounted  officer; 
and  lastly  another  column  of  heavy-armed  infantry. 
The  movement  of  each  soldier  was  perfectly  regular, 
his  step  firm,  and  his  bearing  bold.  Every  helmet 
and  breastplate,  and  every  buckle  and  spear-head 
sparkled  in  the  morning  sun;  while  the  nodding 
plumes  in  the  tall  crests  seemed  to  imitate  the  sway 
of  the  much  venerated  ensigns  and  heavy  spears.  To 
tell  the  spectators  that  these  brawny,  well-trained 
men  were  Roman  soldiers,  and  that  they  were  escort 
ing  some  person  of  rank,  was  needless.  Such  scenes 
were  familiar  to  them. 

Reaching  the  landing  in  front  of  the  ship,  the  cohort 
halted,  while  all  eyes  were  riveted  on  the  imposing 
figure  of  the  great  man  at  the  head  of  the  cavaliy. 
He  was  in  full  armor,  over  which  he  wore  a  purple 
cloak  that  reached  down  to  his  knees,  and  hung 
loosely  over  his  shoulders,  being  fastened  across  the 
chest  by  a  clasp.  A  short  sword  was  suspended  at 
his  left  hip,  and  a  truncheon  was  held  in  his  hand. 
The  horse  upon  which  he  sat  was  high-spirited  and 
gorgeously  caparisoned. 

Soon  after  the  halt  he  dismounted,  and  as  he  passed 
into  the  ship  accompanied  by  his  attendants,  and 
closely  followed  by  a  select  band  of  infantry,  and  his 
horse  in  charge  of  a  servant,  Rebekah  gave  a  sud 
den  start  as  if  waking  from  a  dream,  and  turning  to 
her  father  she  whispered, 

"Seest  thou  Priscus?  He  commands  the  band 
now  entering  the  ship." 

"No — yes,  thou  art  right,  Rebekah;  it  is  he,"  was 
the  reply,  while  Priscus  looked  up  with  a  smile  of 
recognition. 

Noticing  these  demonstrations,  Esther  asked  Re 
bekah  in  surprise, 

"Who  is  that  centurion?  He  acts  like  an  old 
acquaintance  of  thine." 

"  He  is  the  younger  Priscus.  Hadst  thou  not  bet 
ter  tell  him  what  his  father  said  to  thee  ?  " 


The    Voyage.  91 

The  speaker  uttered  these  words  with  a  slight 
flush  in  her  cheek  and  a  twinkle  in  her  eye. 

"  Thou  art  meaner  than  a  Philistine.  Why  didst 
thou  not  tell  me  that  he  expected  to  sail  with  thee  ?  " 
continued  Esther. 

"  Could  I  tell  thee  what  I  knew  not  myself  ?  I  am 
neither  a  witch  nor  a  prophetess." 

"  Thy  pardon,  then ;  I  thought  thou  mightest  have 
another  source  of  information. 

Rebekah  made  no  answer  to  this,  as  she  was  watch 
ing  Priscus,  who  just  then,  returning  to  the  landing, 
approached  a  tribune  with  orders  from  the  great  man. 
After  a  brief  consultation  he  re-entered  the  ship,  and 
the  cohort  moved  away. 

The  time  for  sailing  arriving  shortly  after,  all  ex 
cept  the  passengers  and  crew  left  the  ship.  Most  of 
them,  however,  including  the  friends  of  Rebekah  and 
her  father,  stood  on  the  landing,  occasionally  waving 
their  hands  and  handkerchiefs  until  distance  hid 
those  on  board  from  view. 

Although  Rebekah  was  very  sorry  to  part  with  her 
friends,  and  returned  their  salutations  with  sincerity, 
her  mind  reverted  in  spite  of  herself  to  Priscus,  and 
she  wondered  why  he  was  so  slow  in  seeking  her 
presence.  So  occupied  with  her  thoughts  was  she 
that  she  unconsciously  wandered  away  from  where 
her  father  stood,  and  knew  not  that  the  object  of  her 
thoughts  was  near,  until  he  laid  his  hand  lightly  on 
her  shoulder.  Then  turning  suddenly  she  found  her 
self  face  to  face  with  Priscus.  Love  is  generally 
demonstrative,  especially  after  a  long  separation ;  on 
this  occasion,  however,  its  demonstrations  were  re 
strained  by  the  consciousness  that  curious  eyes  were 
watching.  When  Rebekah  recovered  from  her  sur 
prise  at  the  sudden  appearance  of  Priscus,  she  said, 

"The  presence  of  Elijah  the  prophet  at  Ahab's 
court  was  not  more  unexpected  than  your  arrival 
this  morning  was  to  me." 

"  Does  this  comparison  also  mean  that  I  am  as  un 
welcome  as  the  prophet  was,  and  that  your  thoughts 


92  Rebekah. 

were  as  far  from  me  as  Ahab's  were  from  him  ?  "  in 
quired  the  centurion. 

"  It  means  rather  that  nature  is  not  more  destitute 
of  a  promise  of  another  paradise  than  your  letters 
were  of  a  hint  of  this  meeting." 

"  It  is  but  a  week  since  I  learned  that  I  was  to 
leave  Rome." 

"  And  it  is  but  a  day  since  your  last  letter  came  to 
me  from  Rome." 

"  I  wished  to  give  you  a  surprise." 

"  You  need  not  be  surprised  then  that  your  pres 
ence  was  unexpected.  But  how  came  you  to  leave 
the  Imperial  City  ?  If  my  memory  serves  me  well, 
you  told  me  once  that  the  Prsetorian  guards  were 
rarely  called  out  on  foreign  service." 

"  Your  memory  is  correct ;  and  the  departure  of 
myself  and  band  is  but  an  exception  to  a  long-estab 
lished  rule." 

"  Who  is  the  great  man  whom  you  escort  ?  " 

"  Gessius  Florus,  the  new  Procurator  of  Judea." 

"  Why  has  he  chosen  you  as  the  commander  of  his 
escort  ?  " 

"  He  and  my  father  are  intimate  friends,  and  my 
appointment  is  a  token  of  friendship." 

"  To  him  then  owe  I  the  pleasure  of  this  meeting, 
and  I  suppose  I  ought  to  send  him  my  thanks." 

"  Partly  to  him ;  but  more  especially  to  Divine 
Providence." 

"  Divine  Providence !     Why  not  say  Fortune  ?  " 

He  was  prevented  from  answering  this  question 
by  the  approach  of  Herodion,  who,  after  exchanging 
cordial  greetings  with  Priscus,  sought  and  received 
the  explanations  just  given  Rebekah. 

"  Thou  hast  been  very  kind  in  keeping  us  informed 
of  the  events  which  have  transpired  at  Rome  since 
our  departure,"  said  Herodion,  drifting  to  the  sub 
ject  which  was  uppermost  in  his  mind.  "  I  am  glad 
also  that  thou  didst  not  forget  those  dear  friends 
whom  we  left  in  the  sand-pits.  The  news  of  the 
venerable  Andronicus's  death,  though  unwelcome, 


The    Vogage.  93 

was  not  unexpected  to  us,  for  he  showed  symptoms  of 
approaching  dissolution  when  we  last  saw  him.  But 
we  were  wholly  unprepared  to  hear  that  the  faithful 
Apelles  with  two  others  of  our  friends  had  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  Christ's  enemies  while  in  quest  of 
supplies  in  the  city,  and  had  perished  in  the  arena. 
The  intelligence  that  in  spite  of  thy  liberal  gifts  the 
rest  suffered  much  from  from  hunger  and  cold  be- 
f  ore^they  succeeded  in  leaving  the  sand-pits  also  gave 
us  no  little  pain.  Hast  thou  learned  aught  of  their 
whereabouts  since  ? '" 

"  Nothing  definite,"  said  Priscus,  "  but  it  has  been 
reported  that  some  of  them  subsequently  suffered 
martyrdom." 

"  Ah  I  I  fear  the  report  is  founded  on  truth,"  said 
Herodion  gravely. 

"  Possibly,  for  a  great  many  have  suffered  of  late," 
remarked  Priscus. 

"  Does  the  persecution  still  continue  unabated  ?  " 
asked  Rebekah. 

"  Ay,"  was  the  reply ;  "  nor  is  there  any  lack  of 
victims.  The  harvest  of  death  in  the  arena  only  in 
creases  the  harvest  of  souls  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  The  executioner  sometimes  becoming  convert 
ed  shares  the  fate  of  the  executed.  The  gladiatorial 
shows  have  made  many  people  brutes  ;  to  see  the 
Christians  die  reforms  them  into  men." 

"  You  speak  as  one  who  owns  Christ  as  his  Lord," 
said  Rebekah  eagerly.  "Are  you  also  among  his 
followers  ?  " 

"  You  have  a  right  to  doubt  my  loyalty  to  Christ," 
continued  the  centurion  with  a  downcast  look.  "  Like 
many  others,  I  have  tried  to  follow  him  in  secret, 
often  resorting  to  questionable  means  in  order  to 
guard  my  secret.  The  sufferings  of  the  martyrs 
have  made  me  loathe  myself,  and  see  what  a  coward 
ly  soldier  of  Christ  I  have  been.  Henceforth  I  shall 
fight  his  battles  as  well  as  my  country's." 

Both  Rebekah  and  her  father  welcomed  this  con 
fession  with  delight,  and  gave  expression  to  their  joy 


94  EebeJcah. 

in  warm  terms.  It  was  only  when  the  ship  was  pass 
ing  between  the  promontory  of  Minerva  and  the 
island  of  Caprese  that  Priscus  left  the  side  of  his  be 
trothed  to  go  and  look  after  his  command,  and  the 
following  days  saw  them  often  together,  sitting  in  the 
shade  of  the  sail. 

"  You  say  that  love  is  the  soul  of  happiness,"  said 
Rebekah,  as  the  ship  was  sailing  by  the  island  of 
Crete ;  "  yet  is  it  not  true  that  many  who  love  are 
miserable  ?  " 

"  It  may  be  true  of  others,  but  not  of  me.  My 
love  for  the  sweetest  maiden  earth  has  ever  seen  has 
placed  me  in  a  heaven  of  unadulterated  bliss,"  said 
Priscus. 

"  Yet  were  that  '  sweetest  maiden  '  to  play  the  co 
quette,  or  fail  to  humor  that  love  with  signs  of  her 
favor,  how  long  would  the  lover  remain  there  ?  " 

"  I  fear  a  shorter  time  than  our  first  parents  re 
mained  in  Paradise." 

"  Then  love  is  the  soul  of  misery  as  well  as  of 
happiness  ;  and  how  can  that  be  ?  " 

"  As  I  can  handle  the  sword  better  than  logic,  my 
explanation  may  not  be  satisfactory ;  but  I  can  prove 
that  love  is  the  soul  of  happiness  and  misery  alike." 

"  You  are  not  going  to  jilt  me  !  " 

"  I  am  going  to  tell  you  a  story  instead.  Have 
you  ever  heard  the  story  of  Theseus  and  Ariadne  ?  " 

"  No  ;  but  I  should  like  t3  hear  it." 

"  Then  listen :  On  yonder  island  in  the  Gnossian 
labyrinth.  There  lived  a  savage  Minotaur  who  fed 
upon  youths  and  maidens  brought  from  Athens  as 
an  annual  tribute.  At  the  appointed  time  the  people 
thronged  as  usual  to  the  harbor  to  see  the  arrival  of 
the  black-sailed  ship  with  its  human  freight.  In  the 
throng  stood  Ariadne,  the  daughter  of  King  Minos, 
who,  as  she  watched  the  landing  of  the  youths  and 
maidens,  was  attracted  by  one  that  was  taller  and 
fairer  than  the  rest.  Following  him  and  his  com 
panions  to  her  father's  house,  she  saw  that  he  alone 
gazed  steadfastly  upon  the  king,  and  listening  to  his 


The    Voyage.  95 

request  for  permission  to  go  and  fight  the  Minotaur, 
she  was  moved  with  love,  and  decided  to  aid  him. 
That  night  she  sought  him  secretly,  and  gave  him  a 
clue  of  thread  so  that  he  would  not  get  lost  in  the 
mazes  of  the  labyrinth.  Then  leading  him  to  the 
secret  gate,  she  bade  him  to  be  courageous,  and  de 
parted.  Following  her  directions,  Theseus — for  that 
is  who  he  was — slew  the  monster  while  he  was  asleep, 
and  returned  to  the  royal  palace.  There  was  great 
joy  in  the  city  of  Gnossos,  and  among  the  youths  and 
maidens  who  had  accompanied  Theseus  from  Athens, 
at  the  death  of  the  Minotaur.  But  none  was  more 
joyful  than  Ariadne,  to  whom  Theseus  spoke  words 
of  love,  persuading  her  to  accompany  him  to  his 
country,  where  his  father  was  king.  Entering  the 
black-sailed  ship  she  sat  beside  her  lover,  thinking 
that  he  loved  her  as  she  loved  him.  Coming  to  the 
high  cliffs  of  Naxos,  she  landed  with  Theseus  and 
his  companions,  and  feasted  on  the  beach  amidst 
laughter  and  mirth,  listening  only  to  her  lover's 
voice.  Late  at  night  she  with  the  others  slept,  but 
when  she  awoke  she  found  herself  deserted.  Sadly 
disappointed  she  wandered  with  wounded  feet  over 
the  sharp  flints  on  the  beach,  crying  in  bitter  sorrow 
for  Theseus.  Wearied  and  sad  she  sank  down  on  the 
rock,  and  through  her  tears  beheld  one  that  was  fairer 
and  more  glorious  than  the  sons  of  men.  It  was 
Bacchus,  the  lord  of  the  feast  and  revel,  who  had  come 
to  make  her  his  wife.  When  she  heard  his  voice, 
her  tears  ceased ;  and  in  his  company  she  forgot  the 
false  Theseus.  Henceforth  there  was  none  so  beauti 
ful  and  joyful  among  the  matrons  who  gathered 
round  the  wine-god  as  Ariadne,  the  daughter  of 
Minos. 

"  Now,  my  Ariadne,"  said  Priscus  at  the  close  of 
the  story,  drawing  Rebekah  a  little  closer  to  him  and 
kissing  her  white  hand,  u  have  I  not  proven  my 
statement?" 

"  I  am  not  your  Ariadne,"  said  Rebekah,  earnestly 
looking  into  her  lover's  eyes,  and  evading  the  latter 


96  Relekah. 

part  of  the  question ;  "  nor  are  you  either  my  Theseus 
or  Bacchus." 

"  Then  instead  of  my  jilting  you,  you  are  going  to 
jilt  me." 

"  You  are  wrong ;  my  words  have  another  mean 
ing.  Ariadne's  love  to  Theseus  was  unsought  and 
unrequited  ;  so  is  not  my  love  to  you.  Theseus  was 
heartless  and  false,  and  Bacchus  voluptuous  and 
vain  ;  shall  I  consider  you  so  ?  " 

"  Ay,  if  you  have  found  me  so  ?  " 

44  They  say  that  love  is  blind,"  was  the  laughing 
and  evasive  reply. 

"  But  not  always  unsuspicious." 

"  Then  I  have  never  been  in  love,  for  suspicion  is 
a  stranger  to  me." 

"  All  my  efforts  have  been  in  vain,  then." 

"  What !  to  make  me  suspicious  !  " 

"  No  ;  to  steal  your  heart." 

"  Stealing  is  wicked ;  the  Scriptures  say  so." 

"  But  a  fair  exchange  is  not." 

Cries  of,  "  A  whale !  a  whale ! "  now  brought  a 
large  crowd  to  where  they  sat,  and  arising  they  saw 
with  much  delight  a  large  object  rushing  through  the 
water  in  the  distance  and  spouting  at  a  lively  rate. 

The  ship  now  soon  arrived  at  Alexandria,  where 
Rebekah  and  her  father,  together  with  Florus  and  his 
escort,  re-embarked  in  a  ship  bound  for  Csesarea  and 
other  more  northern  sea-ports.  As  neither  of  the 
lovers  had  seen  Alexandria  before,  its  two  straight 
streets  which  crossed  each  other  at  right  angles  in 
the  centre  of  the  city,  and  were  lined  with  regular 
colonnades ;  its  museum,  large  library,  royal  palaces, 
great  theatre,  and  mausoleums  of  illustrious  men  ;  and 
finally  its  emporium,  obelisks,  necropolis,  and  famous 
light-house,  Pharos,  furnished  them  subjects  enough 
for  conversation  during  the  remainder  of  the  voyage. 

As  they  came  in  sight  of  Csesarea  a  most  magnifi 
cent  view  presented  itself  to  them. 

"  You  see,"  remarked  Herodion,  joining  them,  "  I 
have  not  said  too  much  in  praise  of  our  future  home. 


A  Smouldering  Fire.  97 

That  harbor  is  equaled  only  by  the  Piraeus  at 
Athens.  Presently  when  we  enter  between  that 
round  turret  and  those  two  vast  stones  joined  to 
gether  on  the  left,  andsee  its  fine  landing  with  its  large 
arches  and  grand  buildings,  you  shall  be  better  pre 
pared  to  give  an  opinion  concerning  it.  That  temple 
on  yonder  elevation  is  the  most  costly  and  beautiful 
in  the  city.  Of  the  other  attractions  of  the  city  you 
will  have  a  better  opportunity  to  judge  after  landing. 
Even  at  this  distance,  however,  you  can  have  some 
idea  of  the  grandeur  of  its  palaces,  the  magnificence 
of  its  public  buildings,  and  the  systematic  arrange 
ment  of  its  streets.  Even  Rome  itself  has  no  street 
which  surpasses  that  one  you  see  leading  from  the 
harbor." 

Landing  in  due  time,  the  various  passengers  soon 
arrived  at  their  destination. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

A  SMOULDERING  FIRE. 

AT  the  extreme  south  end  of  a  street  that  crossed 
at  right  angles  the  one  leading  direct  from  the  har 
bor,  stood  a  building  in  which  the  eastern  branch  of 
Herodion's  business  had  been  carried  on  for  many 
years,  and  in  the  upper  story  of  which  he  and  his 
daughter  now  resided.  Into  this  building,  a  little 
more  than  a  year  after  the  arrival  of  our  friends  at 
Csesarea,  entered  one  afternoon  a  young  man  of 
slender  form,  dressed  in  a  garment  of  fine  white 
linen  made  in  the  prevalent  Jewish  style.  Saluting 
the  clerk  in  charge  of  the  stall  with  an  air  of 
superiority,  he  passed  into  an  open  court,  and  ascend 
ing  a  stairway  he  was  led  by  a  servant  into  a  spacious 
room,  in  the  center  of  which  hung  a  large  chandelier 
over  a  mosaic  floor,  upon  which  rested  several  divans 
covered  with  blue  cloth,  and  provided  with  highly 
embroidered  cushions.  Seating  himself  upon  one  of 


98  Eebekah. 

the  divans  near  a  window  overlooking  the  street,  he 
took  a  general  survey  of  the  room.  A  person 
unused  to  critical  observation  would  have  pronounced 
him  handsome ;  to  a  keen  observer,  however,  there 
was  that  in  his  look  which  marred  his  beauty  and 
showed  a  fierce,  selfish  nature,  coupled  with  a  nar 
row,  unscrupulous  mind.  Not  long  after  he  was 
seated,  Rebekah  entered  the  room,  and  exchanging 
greetings  with  him  occupied  a  neighboring  seat.  A 
certain  familiarity  in  their  manner  and  tone  showed 
previous  acquaintance,  and  certain  words  dropped 
during  a  part  of  the  conversation  that  followed  in 
dicated  relationship.  He  was  the  only  son  of  a  sister 
of  Herodion,  dwelling  at  Jerusalem,  and  was  known 
as  Judas  the  son  of  Merto.  Idolizing  everything  of 
Jewish  origin  and  cast,  and  feeling  a  profound  con 
tempt  for  all  Gentiles  and  their  ways,  he  was  withal 
a  zealous  Pharisee.  His  mood  on  this  occasion  was 
not  his  best,  owing  partly  to  recent  events  at  Jerusa 
lem,  and  partly  to  the  hostility  then  existing 
between  the  Grecian  and  Syrian  half  of  the  popula 
tion  of  Csesarea  and  the  Jewish  half.  Taking  ad 
vantage  of  the  first  pause  to  lead  the  conversation 
into  a  more  desirable  channel  he  remarked, 

"  Several  accounts  have  reached  us  of  the  dis 
turbances  lately  created  by  the  uncircumcised  dogs 
dwelling  in  this  city ;  but  seeing  that  none  of  them 
are  wholly  satisfactory,  perhaps  thou  wilt  favor  me 
with  a  more  accurate  account." 

"  An  accurate  account  is  impossible  without  ac 
curate  knowledge  and  a  truthful  utterance.  My 
knowledge  of  the  trouble  has  been  imparted  to  me 
by  others ;  hence  may  be  neither  reliable  nor  satis 
factory,"  was  the  reply. 

"  The  nearer  the  source  the  purer  the  stream." 
"  Not  unless  the  source  itself  be  pure." 
"If  the  source  from  which  thy  knowledge  has  been 
derived  be  corrupt,  the  fault  is  not  thine,  and  if  thy 
account  be  not  satisfactory,  I  will  blame  the  source 
and  not  the  stream.     Thou  wilt  surely  speak  now," 


A  Smouldering  Fire.  99 

"  Seeing  that  thou  relievest  me  of  all  responsibility 
I  will ;  hence  listen.  A  base  Greek,  as  destitute  of 
love  to  God  as  of  respect  to  man,  owns  a  piece  of 
ground  near  one  of  the  synagogues,  for  which  he  has 
repeatedly  refused  a  price  many  times  its  worth.  On 
this  ground  scarcely  two  weeks  ago  he  commenced  to 
build,  the  workshops  he  erected  being  so  close  to  the 
synagogue  that  our  people  could  hardly  pass.  In 
censed  by  this  insult  the  more  impulsive  of  the  young 
men  hindered  the  work  until  Floras  interfered. 
Violence  being  prohibited,  John  the  publican,  sup 
ported  by  the  leading  Jews,  gave  the  procurator  eight 
talents  of  silver  with  the  understanding  that  he  was 
to  help  them ;  but  he  as  soon  as  he  received  the 
money  left  for  Sebaste,  without  attempting  to  restore 
order  and  peace." 

"  Abaddon  take  him !  and  may  his  name  perish 
from  the  earth!  "  exclaimed  Judas. 

"  On  the  next  day,  which  was  the  Sabbath,"  con 
tinued  Rebekah,  "a  malicious  heathen,  turning  an 
earthen  vessel  bottom  upwards,  sacrificed  birds  upon 
it  at  the  entrance  of  the  synagogue." 

"  Son  of  perdition  !  Let  the  Lord  rain  upon  him 
snares,  and  fire,  and  brimstone,  and  a  burning 
tempest.  But  go  on." 

"  The  more  moderate  of  the  Jews,  when  they  saw 
their  laws  thus  insulted  and  their  sacred  place  pol 
luted,  were  greatly  grieved  but  resorted  to  no 
violence.  But  the  others  were  so  enraged  and 
created  such  tumult  that  even  Jucundus,  the  Master 
of  the  Horse,  was  unable  to  quell  it.  Fearing  a  general 
outbreak,  some  of  our  people,  seizing  the  books  of  the 
Law,  departed  to  Narbata ;  while  John,  with  twelve 
of  the  leading  men,  went  to  Sebaste  to  lay  their 
grievances  before  Floras ;  but  he,  instead  of  listen 
ing  to  their  complaints,  threw  them  into  prison. 
This  is  all  I  know  ;  art  thou  satisfied  ?  " 

"  Thou  hast  done  well,  Rebekah,  thou  hast  done 
well.  Truth  receives  justice  at  thy  hands.  But  our 
people  have  suffered  injustice  at  the  hands  of  Greeks 


100  fiebekah. 

as  well  as  Romans.  No  Jew  who  loves  the  peace  of 
Jerusalem  and  the  prosperity  of  Israel  can  listen  to 
such  words  as  my  ears  have  just  heard,  and  see  what 
I  have  seen  at  Csesarea  without  having  his  heart 
stirred ;  or  witness  the  oppression  of  the  city  of  our 
God  without  hatred  in  his  heart  and  a  curse  upon 
his  lips." 

"  I  like  not  thy  philosophy,  Judas.  Vengeance  is 
God's,  not  ours.  It  grieves  me  to  see  the  oppression 
of  Israel ;  yet  I  wish  no  harm  to  the  oppressors. 
They  are  our  enemies;  yet  being  also  our  brothers 
we  should  not  hate  them." 

"Moses  is  my  teacher,  not  the  Nazarene,"  said 
Judas,  making  an  effort  to  conceal  his  displeasure. 

"  Would  it  were  otherwise,"  continued  Rebekah, 
looking  at  the  figure  of  a  lamb  worked  in  brilliant 
colors  in  a  large  rug  on  the  floor.  "  Love  is  better 
than  hatred,  charity  better  than  revenge." 

"  That  is  sound  doctrine,"  said  Herodion  entering 
the  room.  Then  after  saluting  Judas  he  asked, 
"  How  does  Jerusalem  prosper  ?  " 

"  Its  prosperity  is  destroyed  by  the  hand  of  the 
oppressor  ;  its  burdens  are  heavier  than  it  can  bear," 
was  the  rather  sullen  reply.  "  The  last  of  the  Pro 
curators  is  also  the  most  covetous,  barbarous,  and  im 
pious." 

"  What  has  he  done  ?     How  ?     When  ?  " 

"  Thou  knowest  that  this  Roman  dog  has  not  been 
seen  in  Csesarea  since  the  sedition  until  to-day,  and 
that  he  has  made  no  effort  to  quench  the  flame  of 
war  that  has  been  kindled  here.  He  has  rather 
sought  to  kindle  another  flame  at  Jerusalem ;  for 
scarcely  had  we  heard  of  the  outbreak  here,  ere  he 
sent  to  the  Holy  City,  demanding  seventeen  talents 
from  the  Corban  treasury  for  the  use  of  Csesar." 

"  A  deed  most  worthy  of  the  man  !  A  corrupt  tree 
cannot  bring  forth  good  fruit." 

Encouraged  by  this  remark  of  Herodion,  he  bowed 
slightly  and  continued, 

"  This  bold  tyrannical  act  stirred  up  Jerusalem  as  a 


A  Smouldering  Fire.  101 

tempest  does  the  sea.  Some  cried  aloud  for  Caesar's 
protection ;  others  heaped  reproaches  upon  Floras ; 
and  others  jesting,  begged  money  for  him.  Enraged  at 
these  indignities,  he  marched  with  a  body  of  horse 
and  foot  towards  Jerusalem  to  enforce  his  demand. 
The  people,  thinking  to  make  him  ashamed  of  his 
conduct,  went  out  with  shouts  of  joy  to  meet  him ; 
but  he  ordered  his  horsemen  to  drive  them  back  into 
the  city.  Next  day  as  he  sat  on  his  tribunal,  refusing 
to  receive  any  apology,  and  demanding  the  surrender 
of  those  guilty  of  reproach,  he  sent  his  soldiers  to 
plunder  the  upper  market,  and  caused  men  of  the 
equestrian  order  to  be  scourged  and  crucified  before 
him.  That  night  Jerusalem  mourned  the  loss  of 
three  thousand  and  six  hundred  slain." 

"  Monster  of  iniquity  !  Were  there  women  and 
children  among  the  slain  ?  "  This  from  Rebekah. 

"  Ay,  and  even  infants  on  their  mothers'  breasts. 
But  even  this  did  not  satisfy  him.  His  thirst  for 
blood  drove  him  to  other  violent  deeds.  Nor  would 
he  listen  to  the  entreaties  of  the  great.  Often  did 
Berenice,  King  Agrippa's  sister,  send  the  head-offi 
cers  of  her  horse  and  guard  to  Florus,  begging  him 
to  cease  his  cruelties;  and  once  she  herself  stood 
barefoot  before  his  tribunal,  pleading  mercy  for  the 
people ;  but  in  vain." 

Here  a  fit  of  terrible  passion  seized  him,  and  after 
giving  utterance  to  some  fearful  execrations  he 
apologized  to  Rebekah,  and  continued, 

"  He  has  no  more  regard  for  the  great  among  us 
than  for  a  dog ;  and  his  soldiers  have  less  regard  for 
royal  life  than  he  has  for  royal  dignity ;  for  it  was 
with  difficulty  that  the  queen  returned  in  safety  to 
the  palace. 

"  Soon  after  the  departure  of  Berenice,  having 
new  designs  upon  the  lives  of  our  people,  he  per 
suaded  the  leading  men  of  Jerusalem  to  send  a  vast 
number  of  the  citizens  to  meet  and  welcome  two  co 
horts  then  advancing  from  Ceesarea  to  the  Holy  City, 
while  he  sent  a  secret  order  that  the  soldiers  return 


102  RebeTcaTi. 

not  their  salutations.  His  order  was  obeyed,  and 
another  massacre  ensued,  and  I  myself  very  nar 
rowly  escaped  death.  Incensed  by  these  additional 
cruelties  the  people  on  the  next  day  rebelled,  and 
driving  the  Romans  back  to  their  camp,  they  de 
stroyed  the  covered  way  leading  from  Antonia  to  the 
temple,  that  Florus  might  not  obtain  the  treasures  of 
God's  house.  Being  thus  thwarted  in  his  covetous 
and  sacrilegious  designs,  he  at  last  departed  from  the 
city  leaving  but  one  cohort  in  the  citadel." 

Priscus  entering  at  this  juncture,  the  speaker 
paused,  and  while  the  former  exchanged  greetings 
with  Rebekah  and  her  father,  the  latter  abruptly  left 
the  room  with  a  mingled  expression  of  hatred  and 
displeasure  on  his  face. 

Rebekah  did  not  see  him  depart ;  therefore  she 
was  not  a  little  surprised  when  turning  to  introduce 
him  to  the  centurion  she  found  him  gone.  But  a 
moment's  reflection  sufficed  to  acquaint  her  with  the 
cause  of  Ids  sudden  departure.  Priscus  was  a 
Roman  soldier ;  and  the  familiar  way  in  which  he 
entered  the  room  indicated  that  he  was  no  stranger 
there.  These  two  facts  made  his  presence  particu 
larly  obnoxious  to  a  man  of  the  disposition  and  char 
acter  of  Judas. 

Priscus  also  was  somewhat  surprised  at  the  sudden 
disappearance  of  the  son  of  Merto.  Yet  the  only 
{illusion  he  made  to  him  was,  that  he  thought  he  had 
seen  him  somewhere  before. 

"  We  have  not  seen  you  since  the  trouble  began 
until  to-day,"  said  Rebekah  after  a  pause. 

"No;  my  duties  called  me  to  Sebaste,"  was  the 
reply. 

u  And  to  Jerusalem  also,  did  they  not?" 

Thinking  that  he  detected  a  slight  reproach  in  the 
speaker's  words,  he  glanced  quickly  at  her,  and  re 
marked, 

"  Yes ;  being  the  commander  of  the  Procurator's 
guard  I  had  to  accompany  him  there.  But  I  thank 
God  I  had  no  hand  in  the  disgraceful  scene  my  eyes 


The   Outburst  of  the  Flame.  103 

were  forced  to  witness.  Nor  was  I  in  sympathy  with 
the  cruel  spirit  that  demanded  the  shedding  of  so 
much  blood." 

"  What  excuse  had  Florus  for  his  shameful  con 
duct?"  asked  Herodion. 

"  The  excuse  which  a  robber  has  for  taking  a  man's 
life  when  he  is  unwilling  to  give  him  his  money," 
was  the  prompt  reply. 

Although  this  answer  expressed  the  general  im 
pression  in  regard  to  Florus's  motives,  yet  it  had 
only  appearance  in  its  favor.  Florus  was  not  more 
avaricious  than  his  predecessors  had  been.  The  chief 
reason  for  his  wicked  course  was  that  he  wanted  to 
fan  the  sparks  of  rebellion  among  the  Jews  into  the 
flame  of  open  revolt. 

While  Priscus  was  very  careful  as  to  how  he  ex 
pressed  himself  to  his  comrades,  he  felt  no  restraint 
among  his  Jewish  friends.  He  wished  them  to  un 
derstand  that  he  heartily  disapproved  the  Procura 
tor's  mad  policy ;  and  before  he  left  that  afternoon 
he  discussed  with  them  the  probable  outcome  of  it. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  OUTBURST  OF  THE  FLAME. 

TIME,  instead  of  quenching  the  smouldering  fire  of 
rebellion,  secretly  fed  it,  so  that  on  a  Sabbath  morn 
ing  not  long  after  Judas's  visit  to  Csesarea  it  burst 
into  a  most  terrible  flame.  The  Jews,  little  suspect 
ing  the  imminent  danger  they  were  in,  looked  for 
ward  as  usual  to  a  day  of  rest;  but  the  Gentile  element 
hailed  the  day  because  it  was  to  be  one  of  a  peculiar 
activity.  Especially  was  this  true  of  the  leading 
officials,  who  under  cover  of  a  heavy  fog  which  envel 
oped  the  whole  city,  assembled  early  in  the  house  of 
the  chief  magistrate. 

"  You  remember  my  command,"  said  that  mag 
nate,  "  that  the  names  and  homes  of  the  Jewish  dogs 


104  Eebekah. 

be  secured ;  that  their  houses  be  marked ;  that  all  who 
are  to  be  spared  wear  a  red  sword-shaped  badge  over 
their  hearts ;  that  the  armed  men  be  placed  in  differ 
ent  parts  of  the  city,  where  they  can  most  effectively 
perform  their  work.  Have  you  obeyed  my  com 
mand?" 

"  We  have,  O  Dionysius ;  else  may  the  Furies  take 
us,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Zeus  has  sent  us  a  propitious  day ;  our  enemies 
are  in  our  hands ;  let  them  be  mown  down  as  grass. 
He  that  lets  a  soul  escape  forfeits  his  own  life.  Two 
hours  before  noon  is  the  time,  and  the  sound  of  the 
trumpet,  the  signal  for  action.  Go,  honor  the  heroism 
of  your  fathers  with  your  deeds." 

As  the  officials  turned  to  leave,  the  chief  magistrate 
beckoned  to  one  of  them,  and  whispered  in  his  ear, 

"  Remember  that  Herodion  dies  with  the  rest ;  but 
his  daughter  must  be  spared,  for  her  charms  have 
struck  my  fancy.  Go." 

"  Thy  command,  O  illustrious,  shall  be  obeyed," 
said  the  person  addressed,  hastening  after  his  compan 
ions. 

Reaching  the  door,  they  all  struck  out  in  different 
directions,  wishing  each  other  success.  As  each 
pursued  his  course  he  passed  several  Jews  going  to 
their  synagogue,  and  remarked  to  himself  that  their 
lives  would  soon  be  as  the  fog  that  was  then  vanish 
ing.  Although  most  of  the  Jews  lived  in  what  was 
known  as  the  Jewish  quarter,  yet  not  a  few  of  them 
lived  in  the  other  parts  of  the  city.  These  had  to 
pass  through  the  business  parts  in  order  to  reach 
their  place  of  worship.  They  saw  nothing  there  that 
Sabbath  morning,  however,  that  looked  in  the  least 
suspicious.  The  streets  were  crowded  as  usual,  and 
every  Gentile  business-stand  was  occupied;  mostly, 
however,  by  women  and  aged  men.  Half  of  the  able- 
bodied  men  were  concealed  near  the  Jewish  quarter ; 
the  other  half  mingled  with  the  crowds  to  avoid  sus 
picion  until  their  service  was  needed. 

The  service  had  scarcely  commenced  in  the  various 


The   Outburst  of  the  Flame.  105 

synagogues  ere  the  worshipers  were  startled  by  the 
sound  of  a  trumpet  in  the  distance,  which  was 
answered  by  several  others  in  various  quarters  of  the 
city.  Almost  simultaneous  with  the  signal,  they 
heard  a  great  rush  in  the  neighboring  streets,  and 
looking  in  terror  at  each  other,  they  sprang  from 
their  seats,  some  crying  to  have  the  doors  shut; 
others  to  have  room  to  pass  out.  The  conspirators 
left  them  no  time  to  escape,  but  surrounding  them 
with  the  fury  of  madmen,  they  fell  upon  them  at 
once.  The  work  of  destruction  had  been  aided  by 
the  panic  within,  in  that  it  had  prevented  the  closing 
of  the  doors.  Many  of  the  conspirators,  however,  in 
their  impatience  made  their  way  in  through  the  win 
dows,  their  harsh  laughter  and  fearful  execrations 
mingling  with  the  despairing  cries  and  dying  groans 
of  their  helpless  victims  as  they  rushed  upon  them 
with  swords  and  daggers  from  all  directions.  In  less 
than  fifteen  minutes  all  the  worshipers  were  dead, 
and  as  they  lay  in  heaps  upon  the  sacred  floors  their 
blood  covered  the  walls  and  seats  and  ran  in  streams 
out  at  the  doors. 

Simultaneous  with  this  slaughter,  a  general  rush 
was  made  upon  thousands  of  unprotected  homes, 
the  murderers  regarding  neither  sex  nor  age.  Exult 
ing  over  their  success,  and  stimulated  by  the  vocif 
erations  of  their  fellows  and  the  lamentable  and 
affrighted  cries  of  the  perishing,  those  who  had 
attacked  the  synagogues  hurried  to  assist  still  further 
in  the  carnival  of  death.  Many  of  the  helpless  vic 
tims  pursued  by  their  enemies  were  met  in  the  nar 
row  lanes  and  streets  by  these  human  fiends,  and 
quickly  dispatched.  Mothers  and  daughters,  after 
suffering  all  manner  of  insults,  fell  dead  at  the  feet  of 
their  murderers.  Sleeping  babes  were  thrown  from 
the  windows  of  the  upper  stories  and  caught  on  the 
spears  of  those  who  were  in  the  streets  below.  Many 
older  ones  also  were  hurled  from  the  roofs  and  dashed 
to  pieces  on  the  pavement.  This  fearful  carnage 
continued  only  for  one  hour ;  yet  in  that  short  time 


106  jRebekah. 

twenty  thousand  Jews  were  massacred ;  and  the  few 
who  escaped  were  sentenced  by  Floras  to  the  galleys 
for  life. 

But  where  were  Rebekah  and  her  father  ?  This  was 
the  question  that  was  uppermost  in  Priscus's  mind  as 
lie  left  the  landing,  where  he  and  his  band  had  been 
stationed  about  an  hour  before  to  arrest  those  who 
attempted  to  escape,  and  hastened  half  distracted  in 
the  direction  of  Herodion's  house.  The  knowledge 
of  the  plot  had  been  studiously  kept  from  the  sol 
diers,  lest  those  among  them  who  had  Jewish  friends 
might  inform  them  of  their  danger,  and  thus  over 
throw  the  plot.  When  the  centurion  was  ordered  to 
take  his  band  to  the  landing  that  morning,  he  only 
thought  that  a  riot  was  expected,  and  that  those 
whom  he  was  to  arrest  were  rebels.  Nor  did  he  dis 
cover  his  delusion  until  the  massacre  was  nearly  over. 
True  he  heard  frightful  shrieks  and  clamors  in  the 
distance,  and  saw  his  men  arrest  several  bleeding 
forms ;  yet  it  was  only  when  a  young  woman,  blood 
stained  and  terrified  almost  to  madness,  prostrated 
herself  at  his  feet,  that  he  learned  the  true  state  of 
things.  Then  a  terrible  thought  flashed  into  his 
mind,  and  commanding  the  sub-centurion  to  take 
charge  both  of  the  band  and  fugitive,  he  hurried  to 
the  scene  of  consternation  and  death.  As  he  passed 
from  street  to  street  the  most  horrible  and  sickening 
spectacles  met  his  gaze.  The  pavements  were  lit 
erally  flooded  with  the  blood  of  men,  women  and 
children,  most  of  whom  had  been  thrown,  either  dead 
or  dying,  into  the  streets,  where  in  some  places 
they  lay  so  thick  as  to  form  almost  impassable  ob 
structions. 

Arriving  after  much  difficulty  at  Herodion's  place 
of  business,  Prisons  found  the  front  door  forced  open, 
and  the  interior  of  the  lower  story  showing  unmistak 
able  signs  of  having  been  plundered.  Passing  into 
the  court-yard  he  was  startled  at  the  sight  of  the  dead 
body  of  Levi,  Herodion's  clerk ;  and  ascending  to  the 
upper  story  with  his  heart  beating  violently,  the  blood- 


The   Outburst  of  the  Flame.  107 

stained  stairway  and  veranda  showed  him  that  after 
being  mortally  wounded  the  unfortunate  man  had 
either  fallen  or  had  been  thrown  downstairs.  Tem 
porarily  overcome  by  the  fearful  picture  presented  to 
his  excited  imagination,  he  leaned  a  moment  against 
the  wall  near  the  door,  while  his  whole  frame  trem 
bled  violently.  Then  reproving  himself  for  this  dis 
play  of  weakness,  he  staggered  into  the  house.  He 
saw  at  a  glance  that  this  also  had  been  plundered ;  and 
as  he  passed  from  room  to  room  and  up  to  the  roof,  he 
expected  every  moment  to  find  the  dead  bodies  of  his 
friends.  But  they  were  evidently  not  there.  This 
fact  puzzled  him.  Where  could  they  be?  While  he 
was  revolving  this  question  in  his  mind,  he  heard  a 
step  on  the  roof,  and  laying  his  hand  on  the  hilt  of  his 
sword  he  turned  on  his  heel,  and  as  he  faced  the  in 
truder  said, 

"  Who  art  thou  ? — Ah,  thy  pardon,  Hernias !  I  took 
thee  for  one  of  the  conspirators.  Knowest  thou  aught 
of  Rebekah  and  her  father  ?  " 

"  They  are  safe  in  my  master's  house." 

"  Jove — I  mean  God — be  praised !  Thou  art  sure 
they  are  safe  ?  Hast  thou  seen  them  since  the  mas 
sacre  began  ?  " 

Prisons  did  not  usually  become  so  excited  as  he  was 
when  he  uttered  these  words.  But  the  strain  upon 
his  nerves  had  been  so  great,  and  the  intelligence  he 
received  was  so  unexpected,  that  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  remain  cool.  Hernias,  realizing  this  fact,  said, 

"Be  assured,  O  centurion,  that  I  utter  but  the 
truth.  I  left  them  but  a  moment  ago."* 

"  But  how  came  they  to  thy  master's  house  ?  And 
why  did  not  Levi  accompany  them  there  ?  " 

"  Thou  knowest  that  my  master  is  a  Christian  as 
well  as  a  Greek.  His  intimacy  with  some  of  the  chief 
conspirators  secured  him  a  knowledge  of  the  plot,  and 
his  Grecian  blood  entitled  him  to  safety.  But  being  a 
Christian  he  would  not  have  Herodion  and  his  daugh 
ter  die  with  the  unbelieving  Jews.  Therefore  this 
morning  when  the  fog  enveloped  the  city  he  sent  me 


108  Hebekah. 

to  summon  them  to  his  house  at  once.  They  obeyed 
me  as  promptly  as  I  did  my  master,  and  I  led  them 
unseen  by  any  hostile  eye,  through  narrow  lanes  and 
dark  passages  to  a  place  of  refuge." 

"  The  Lord  reward  thee  and  thy  master,  Hermas, 
for  your  deed  of  mercy.  But  thou  hast  not  told  me 
why  Levi  did  not  accompany  Rebekah  and  her  father." 

"  He  was  not  here.  Being  a  follower  of  Moses 
rather  than  of  Christ,  he  rested  on  the  seventh  day  in 
stead  of  the  first." 

"  But  he  came  here  later  as  thou  seest." 

"  Ay  ;  and  his  devotion  to  his  master  led  him  here 
to  meet  his  death." 

"  Poor  wretch  !  he  was  a  faithful  servant  though  an 
unbelieving  dog." 

These  words  were  spoken  as  they  passed  Levi's  body 
towards  a  small  door  in  the  wall  of  the  court-yard. 
Entering  a  narrow  lane  through  this  door,  they  followed 
the  course  which  Hermas  had  taken  earlier  in  the 
morning.  As  the  sun  was  now  in  the  zenith  the 
horrible  scenes  through  which  they  passed  appeared  to 
them  in  all  their  hideousness.  At  one  place  they  saw 
a  number  of  boys  not  yet  in  their  teens  making  a  foot 
ball  of  an  infant's  head  ;  and  at  another,  heartless 
ruffians  while  heaping  the  bodies  of  the  slain  into 
carts,  throw  mutilated  limbs  at  each  other  amidst 
boisterous  laughter  and  blasphemous  jests.  It  ap 
peared  to  Prisons  and  his  companion  as  though  the  in 
habitants  of  the  bottomless  pit  had  been  let  loose. 

Arriving  in  due  time  at  the  house  where  his  friends 
were  succorec^,  the  centurion  found  them  in  a  room  al 
most  on  a  level  with  the  eastern  wall  of  the  city.  It 
is  impossible  to  describe  their  feelings  when  they  met. 
To  Priscus  his  friends  appeared  as  though  they  had 
returned  from  the  land  of  terror.  He  had  despaired 
of  seeing  them  alive  again  until  he  saw  Hermas ; 
and  now  that  he  found  them  safe  and  sound  his  heart 
was  overflowing  with  gratitude  and  joy. 

His  stay  was  short,  his  military  duties  demanding 
his  immediate  return  to  the  landing.  As  he  took  his 


Alarm  and  Flight.  109 

departure,  however,  he  promised  to  pay  them  a  longer 
visit  that  evening. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

ALARM   AND   FLIGHT. 

"  AH  !  thou  comest  at  last !  I  have  waited  long  for 
thee.  But  thou  art  alone  !  Where  is  the  damsel  ?  " 

"  I  know  not,  my  Lord.  We  found  none  in  Hero- 
dion's  house  but  a  skulking  dog  whom  his  brethren 
called  Levi.  Him  we  immediately  dispatched." 

"  Told  I  not  thee  that  Herodion  must  die,  and  that 
his  daughter  must  become  my  slave?" 

"  Ay,  my  lord ;  but  we  could  neither  capture  nor 
kill  that  which  could  not  be  found." 

"  Told  I  not  thee  also  that  he  who  should  let  a 
single  soul  escape  should  forfeit  his  own  life  ?  " 

"  True,  my  lord.  Thou  kno  west  that  thy  words  are 
my  law  as  thy  will  is  my  guide.  Thy  command  has 
been  obeyed." 

"  Dog  !  thou  liest.  Herodion  lives,  and  his  daugh 
ter  is  not  in  my  power.  Prepare  to  pay  the  forfeit, 
for  thou  must  die." 

Such  were  the  words  which  Priscus  overheard  as  he 
passed  within  earshot  of  an  arbor  in  the  garden  of  the 
chief  magistrate  on  the  evening  of  that  terrible  Sab 
bath  while  going  to  pay  his  Jewish  friends  the  prom 
ised  visit.  As  they  fell  on  his  ear  he  at  first  was 
filled  with  astonishment ;  this  feeling  however  was 
soon  superseded  with  a  strong  desire  to  punish  the 
heartless  fiend  who  evidently  was  the  leading  spirit  in 
the  massacre.  Fortunately  for  him,  however,  this 
desire  was  checked  by  fear  of  the  consequences. 
When  he  resumed  his  walk  it  was  with  a  determi 
nation  that  so  far  as  he  was  concerned  Rebekah  should 
remain  ignorant  of  what  he  had  just  heard. 

Arriving  at  the  house  of  the  Christian  Greek,  he 
was  led  immediately  to  the  same  room  that  he  had  en- 


110  Eebekah. 

tered  earlier  in  the  day,  where  he  found  his  friends 
Availing  for  him.  As  soon  as  he  was  seated  Herodion 
gravely  remarked, 

"  It  is  evidently  the  will  of  God  that  we  again  part, 
my  Priscus.  We  are  here  like  lambs  in  the  midst  of 
ravening  wolves,  and  our  only  safety  seems  to  be  in 
flight." 

"  I  regretfully  acknowledge  your  danger.  Were  I 
the  heathen  that  I  once  was,  I  would  say  that  you  are 
being  pursued  by  the  Fates.  But  being  a  Christian, 
I  say  that  God  leads  you  through  strange  places. 
Where  will  you  seek  a  place  of  refuge  ?  " 

"  In  Jerusalem.  During  our  former  trial  thy  sister's 
home  was  our  refuge ;  now  my  sister's  roof  shall 
shelter  us." 

"  When  will  you  depart  ?  " 

"  At  the  close  of  the  second  watch  to-morrow  night, 
God  willing." 

"  How  will  you  make  your  escape  ?  " 

"  Over  that  wall,  and  upon  the  asses  which  I  have 
bought  of  our  host." 

"  Asses  are  not  so  fast  as  horses,"  put  in  Rebekah, 
trying  to  appear  cheerful ;  "  but  more  royal  person 
ages  than  we  have  ridden  upon  them." 

"  Yet  in  spite  of  royalty,  I  am  a  greater  friend  of 
the  horse  than  of  the  ass,"  said  Priscus,  glancing  at 
her.  Then,  addressing  Herodion  he  continued,  "  Hast 
thou  made  any  arrangements  regarding  thy  property." 

"  Our  host  has  kindly  bought  it ;  thus  I  shall  be 
able  to  set  up  in  business  at  Jerusalem." 

At  this  juncture  the  conversation  drifted  to  other 
channels,  and  late  in  the  evening  Priscus  retired  to 
the  Prsetorium  to  dream  of  his  love.  When  he  awoke 
next  morning  the  first  fact  which  appeared  on  the 
field  of  consciousness  was  the  pending  departure  of 
his  friends.  As  he  brooded  over  the  matter,  he  once 
or  twice  came  very  near  cursing  his  fate.  He  could 
not  see  why  he  and  his  betrothed  should  be  separated 
again  so  soon.  Yet  \ve  must  not  think  that  he  was 
very  miserable.  The  time  of  separation  had  not  come 


Alarm  and  Flight.  Ill 

yet,  and  since  it  was  the  Lord's  Day  he  would  have 
an  opportunity  to  worship  with  her,  and  later  to  sup 
with  her  and  her  father.  Thus  did  the  creature 
rather  than  the  Creator,  occupy  his  thoughts  on  that 
holy  day.  It  was  wrong,  we  know ;  yet  who  can  cast 
a  stone  at  him  ? 

Sunset  found  him  again  seated  with  his  friends,  and 
while  they  were  in  the  midst  of  an  interesting  discus 
sion,  the  door  of  the  room  was  suddenly  thrown  open, 
and  a  servant,  almost  breathless  and  with  an  expres 
sion  of  alarm  on  his  face,  rushed  in  among  them,  and 
stammered  that  their  hiding  place  had  been  made 
known  to  the  chief  magistrate,  and  that  a  band  of 
officers  was  coming  to  arrest  them. 

"  Where  are  they  now  ? "  inquired  Priscus  in  a 
hurried  voice  as  his  friends  gathered  the  few  effects 
they  had  together. 

"  There,"  was  the  reply  as  a  great  noise  ascended 
from  the  court  below. 

"  Shut  the  door ;  run  down  and  tell  thy  master  to 
keep  them  out  for  five  minutes — only  five  minutes. 
Dost  thou  hear  ?  "  commanded  the  centurion. 

"  Ay,  sir,"  said  the  servant  as  he  hastened  away. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  room  occupied  by 
Rebekah  and  her  father  was  within  easy  reach  of  the 
eastern  wall  of  the  city.  By  the  assistance  of  Priscus, 
it  took  them  but  a  short  time  to  get  upon  this  wall. 
To  descend  from  it,  however,  was  more  difficult. 
But  it  was  successfully  done,  first  by  Herodion,  then 
by  his  daughter ;  but  while  they  were  descending  the 
din  of  voices  greatly  increased,  and  Rebekah  had 
hardly  reached  the  ground  ere  the  centurion  heard 
rapid  knocks  at  the  door,  and  a  voice  crying  that  the 
door  was  being  forced  in  below. 

"  Let  them  come  ;  the  birds  have  flown.  Tell  thy 
master  so — no,  come  here,  quick,"  was  Priscus's  reply 
as  he  admitted  the  servant  into  the  room.  Then  he 
added,  "Here,  take  hold  of  this  rope  while  I  descend." 

As  he  descended  both  he  and  his  friends  were 
startled  by  a  sudden  noise  as  if  of  some  one  stumbling 


112  Rebekah. 

not  far  off.  Could  it  be  possible  that  another  group 
had  been  sent  to  prevent  their  escape  over  the  wall  ? 
.  Ay ;  there  could  no  longer  be  any  doubt  in  regard  to 
it ;  for  as  Priscus's  feet  touched  the  ground  a  voice 
cried  out. 

"  Pluto  take  me,  if  they  have  not  already  left  the 
wall !  Swoop  down  upon  them  like  an  eagle  upon  its 
prey !  Quick !  or  else  the  accursed  dogs  will  again  slip 
out  of  our  hands  !  " 

While  these  hurried  words  echoed  and  re-echoed 
along  the  wall,  Priscus  whispered  to  his  friends. 

"  Make  no  noise,  as  you  value  your  lives  !  Run  over 
those  sandy  downs  and  wait  for  me  by  the  brook.  I 
will  throw  these  blood-thirsty  hounds  off  the  trail." 

Rebekah  and  her  father  immediately  obeyed,  and 
ran  as  fast  as  their  trembling  limbs  and  the  darkness 
permitted  them.  They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance 
when  the  same  voice  that  had  spoken  before  cried, 

"  Ah !  there  is  the  father !  Lay  hold  on  him  my 
men.  But  where  is  the  daughter?" 

"  If  you  are  tired  of  life,  approach,"  exclaimed  the 
centurion,  displaying  his  sword. 

"  Who  art  thou  ?  "  demanded  the  leader,  checking 
his  men. 

"  A  Roman,  and  the  commander  of  Florus's  body 
guard,"  was  the  proud  reply. 

"  It  is  just  as  I  feared,"  whispered  the  leader  to  one 
of  his  assistants  ;  "  the  base  knave  has  aided  them  to 
escape."  Then  addressing  Priscus  he  said  aloud, 

"  If  Florus's  guard  be  as  careful  of  his  body  as  thou 
art  of  thy  command,  he  must  indeed  feel  secure ! 
But  I  demand  thee,  in  the  name  of  Dionysius  the 
Great,  to  tell  us  where  Herodion  and  his  daughter 
are." 

"  Caesar  and  not  Dionysius  is  my  master.  Tell  the 
tyrant  so,"  was  the  reply. 

Some  of  the  other  groups  being  attracted  by  the 
sound  of  voices  now  appeared  upon  the  wall,  and 
reproached  the  others  for  not  arriving  in  time  to 
prevent  our  friends'  escape.  The  others  replied  that 


Alarm  and  Flight.  113 

if  they  had  not  been  so  hasty  their  mission  would 
have  been  successful.  After  thus  exchanging  re 
proaches  for  a  while,  they  all  departed  with  a  parting 
fling  at  Priscus  for  the  successful  part  he  had  played. 

When  they  were  gone  the  centurion  directed  his 
steps  after  Rebekah  and  her  father,  and  presently 
overtook  them  by  a  small  brook  south-east  of  Csesarea. 
Here  they  held  a  long  interview,  and  at  last  decided 
that,  under  the  circumstances,  it  was  best  both  to 
abandon  the  asses  they  had  procured  and  avoid  the 
highways  for  the  present,  and  proceed  on  foot  to  a 
small  village  north-west  of  Samaria  where  they  would 
be  likely  to  procure  means  of  conveyance. 

At  the  close  of  the  interview  the  father  and  daugh 
ter  again  took  leave  of  Priscus,  giving  him  a  pressing 
invitation  to  visit  them  as  soon  as  possible.  Little 
did  they  know,  as  the  distance  between  them  in 
creased,  what  momentous  events  should  come  to  pass 
before  they  should  meet  again.  Had  the  future  been 
revealed  to  them,  the  two  lovers  would  have  lingered 
much  longer  in  each  other's  arms,  and  would  have 
glanced  back  at  each  other  more  frequently  than  they 
did. 

From  the  brook  our  friends  continued  in  a  south 
easterly  direction  until  they  reached  a  sheltered  nook 
not  far  from  the  oak  woods  which  lay  between  them 
and  the  next  brook,  where  they  lay  down  to  rest  a 
few  hours. 

When  the  gray  dawn  began  to  peer  through  the 
dense  forest  they  again  resumed  their  journey,  cross 
ing  at  the  end  of  an  hour  another  brook ;  and  press 
ing  forward  towards  the  plain  of  Sharon.  A  little 
before  noon  they  reached  the  top  of  a  hill,  from  which 
the  view  southward  was  almost  boundless.  Not  far 
from  where  they  stood  was  a  well,  and  groups  of 
women  and  girls  were  seen  constantly  going  and  com 
ing  between  it  and  a  village  a  little  beyond,  which 
was  surrounded  with  olive,  fig,  and  pomegranate 
orchards  laden  with  fruits.  Descending  into  this  vil 
lage,  the  father  and  daughter  passed  through  staring 


114  Rebekah. 

groups  of  loafers  and  children  into  the  inn,  which 
was  a  two-story  structure  built  around  a  yard  con 
taining  a  well  or  fountain,  and  entered  by  a  gate. 
The  lower  rooms  were  designed  for  baggage  and  ani 
mals,  and  the  upper  ones  for  people.  The  inn  on  this 
occasion  was  well  filled  with  people  in  every  costume 
of  the  East,  some  of  whom  stood  in  groups  talking 
and  gesticulating  in  the  most  excited  manner,  while 
others  lay  on  their  rugs  lazily  watching  them.  Pass 
ing  through  the  courtyard  between  camels  and  mules 
laden  for  the  road,  and  by  the  groups  just  mentioned, 
Herodion  conducted  his  daughter  to  a  vacant  room 
in  the  south  end  of  the  inn.  At  first  they  did  not 
understand  the  cause  of  the  excitement  which  pre 
vailed  ;  but  they  soon  learned  that  the  people  were 
discussing  the  probable  results  of  certain  outbreaks 
that  had  just  taken  place  at  Jerusalem. 

"  Eleazar  must  be  mad,  else  he  would  never  have 
refused  to  offer  the  usual  sacrifice  for  Caesar?'  said 
Herodion,  commenting  on  what  he  had  just  over 
heard. 

"  Neither  can  the  seditious  generally  be  very  wise 
or  good,  else  they  would  not  have  dared  to  destroy 
the  palaces  of  the  great,  to  slay  the  high  priest,  and 
to  massacre  the  Roman  soldiers  after  they  had  prom 
ised  them  security,"  said  Rebekah. 

Judging  by  these  remarks,  neither  of  them  liked  the 
prospect  of  making  their  home  where  there  were  so 
many  rebellious  elements ;  yet  they  could  see  no 
alternative  to  the  carrying  out  of  their  original  plan. 
Consequently  after  they  were  duly  refreshed  and 
equipped  for  their  journey,  they  resumed  their  course, 
mounted  on  asses.  On  reaching  Samaria,  they  again 
rested  a  few  hours.  From  here  their  course  was 
easier,  since  they  took  the  Roman  road,  and  in  due 
time  they  found  themselves  on  an  eminence  a  little 
north  of  the  Holy  City,  where  its  frowning  walls, 
magnificent  towers,  sea  of  houses,  and  above  all  its 
stupendous  Temple  could  be  seen  to  the  best  advan 
tage. 


Alarm  and  Flight.  115 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  Rebekah's  feelings  as 
she  beheld  the  city  now  for  the  first  time.  It  was  un 
necessary  to  tell  her  which  was  the  Temple,  for  its 
beautiful  gates,  marble  terraces,  high  pinnacles,  and 
elegant  fountains  dazzled  her  as  the  last  rays  of  the 
sun  fell  upon  them.  Long  had  she  heard  of  the  Holy 
House  with  its  matchless  splendor  ;  now  she  saw  it  in 
all  its  glory,  rising  into  the  sky  like  a  mountain  of 
snow  studded  with  diamonds  and  lined  with  gold. 

Desiring  to  reach  the  Upper  City,  as  Mount  Zion 
was  then  called,  before  darkness  should  overtake 
them,  they  left  the  eminence  much  sooner  than  they 
would  have  done  tinder  more  favorable  circumstances. 
Coming  to  the  Damascus  gate  they  found  it  crowded 
with  people  of  all  classes  and  beasts  of  burden,  some 
leaving  and  some  entering  the  city.  On  either  side 
of  the  entrance  fruit  vendors,  peddlers  of  household 
utensils,  peddlers  of  jewelry,  dealers  in  costumes,  and 
hucksters  of  an  infinite  variety  of  articles  kept  up  a 
continual  jumble  of  cries,  while  here  and  there  the 
whine  of  the  beggar  was  heard. 

Hurrying  past  these  as  fast  as  the  press  would  allow 
them,  our  friends  presently  entered  a  busy  street  in 
the  Valley  of  the  Cheesemakers,  and  as  they  pro 
ceeded  on  their  course  they  saw  that  from  this  valley 
the  streets  ran  up  in  terraces  on  both  sides,  and  were 
intersected  with  steep,  narrow  lanes.  Turning  into 
one  of  these  lanes  they  now  ascended  to  the  top  of 
Mount  Zion,  and  entering  that  famous  spot,  called 
the  City  of  David,  they  came  to  the  house  of  Merto, 
which  differed  from  Herodion's  house  at  Rome  only 
in  the  addition  of  another  story  in  the  main  part,  fac 
ing  the  Temple.  Into  this  house  they  were  now  wel 
comed  ;  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  they  took 
possession  of  the  east  wing  of  Merto's  house,  and 
sought  to  make  themselves  comfortable  once  more. 


116  Rebekah. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

IN   THE   HOSPITAL. 

AFTER  the  escape  of  Rebekah  and  her  father  from 
Csesarea,  Prisons  for  a  time  felt  as  though  completely 
lost.  During  their  stay  in  the  city  there  was  scarcely 
a  day  that  they  did  not  see  him,  and  he  had  come  to 
regard  their  home  as  his  home.  When  he  realized, 
then,  that  the  house  that  was  once  Herodion's  was 
now  owned  by  another,  and  that  Rebekah  with  her 
beautiful  face  and  winning  ways  was  no  longer  there 
to  welcome  him,  he  felt  quite  miserable.  Several 
times  he  was  on  the  point  of  starting  in  the  direction 
which  had  become  so  familiar  to  him,  when  suddenly 
to  his  great  disgust  he  would  recollect  what  had  hap 
pened. 

Gradually,  as  he  became  reconciled  to  the  absence 
of  his  betrothed,  he  began  to  realize  that  the  political 
situation  around  him  became  more  and  more  threat 
ening.  The  Jews  everywhere  avenged  themselves  on 
the  Syrians,  and  the  Syrians  in  turn,  being  aroused 
by  their  cruelty,  took  revenge  upon  the  Jews.  Finally 
he  joined  Cestius  Gallus  in  an  expedition  against  the 
rebels,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  was  engaged 
in  several  battles. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  expedition  he  found  him 
self  with  the  rest  of  the  army  laying  siege  against 
Jerusalem,  the  very  city  in  which  Rebekah  and  her 
father  now  dwelt.  At  first  he  hoped  that  the  con 
sternation  of  the  seditious  would  soon  result  in  capit 
ulation,  and  thus  enable  him  to  see  the  object  of  his 
love  once  more  ;  but  instead  of  this  Cestius's  unac 
countable  retreat  destroyed  his  hope,  and  in  the  hot 
pursuit  that  followed  he  was  sorely  wounded,  and 
carried  to  the  hospital  at  Csesarea. 

Not  long  after,  a  decurion,  entering  the  hospital,  stood 


In  the  Hospital.  117 

near  a  bed  upon  which  lie  lay,  haggard  and  pale,  appar 
ently  asleep.  Whispering  a  few  words  in  the  ear  of 
a  soldier  who  sat  by  the  bed,  the  decurion  assumed 
charge  of  the  room,  and  the  soldier  moved  quietly 
away.  Just  then  the  sick  man  awoke,  and  turning 
towards  the  new-comer  he  said  with  a  smile, 

"  Ah,  it  is  thou,  my  Marcus.  Thy  face  is  welcome 
here." 

"  And  I  am  exceedingly  glad  to  see  thee  once 
more,  noble  Priscus.  How  dost  thou  feel  to-day  ?  " 
was  the  reply. 

"  Much  stronger  ;  with  God's  help  I  shall  soon  be 
able  to  walk  again." 

"  Thou  hast  had  an  ugly  wound ;  yet  perhaps  thou 
art  now  able  to  tell  how  thou  earnest  by  it." 

"  Thou  knowest  that  the  cowardly  dogs  rushed  out 
upon  us  from  the  city  and  pursued  us  with  great 
violence." 

"  Ay,  the  villains  fell  upon  our  flanks  and  rear  like 
wolves  upon  sheep." 

"  When  we  were 'forced  to  march  through  the  last 
of  those  narrow  passes,  the  enemy,  thou  wilt  remem 
ber,  pressed  us  before  and  behind,  and  threw  darts 
and  stones  upon  us  from  the  precipices  above  us. 
Our  company,  as  thou  wilt  also  remember,  was  near 
the  head  of  the  column,  and  as  we  tried  to  break 
through  the  enemy's  ranks,  each  was  compelled  to 
defend  himself  on  all  sides.  When  my  arm  was 
weary  with  fighting  and  my  sword  red  with  blood,  a 
vicious-looking  fellow  whom  I  had  seen  before,  rushed 
towards  me,  and  thrust  his  spear  into  my  side  with 
such  terrific  force  that  it  pierced  through  my  coat  of 
mail  and  almost  unhorsed  me.  Before  he  could  with 
draw  his  spear,  however,  I  thrust  my  faithful  sword 
into  his  hateful  face.  Then  we  both  fell,  and  I  knew 
no  more  until  I  found  myself  here." 

"  Hercle  !  thou  art  a  lucky  knave,  else  thou  wouldst 
not  be  here  to-day,  nor  would  that  pretty  Jewess  see 
the  face  she  loves  so  well  again." 

"  What  befell  the  four  hundred  who  were  left  at 


118  RebeJcah. 

Bethoron?"  asked  Priscus,  ignoring  this  remark. 
"  They  were  cut  to  pieces  the  next  day.  When 
fury  runs  away  with  one's  temper,  reason  i?  dethroned  ; 
and  when  fanaticism  seeks  revenge,  pity  is  banished 
from  the  heart." 

"  Ay ;  and  when  madness  tramples  upon  pearls, 
and  hatred  destroys  the  objects  of  love,  resentment 
wrestles  with  charity  and  calls  for  blood.  Woe  unto 
the  slayers  of  the  brave,  and  unto  those  who  have 
wantonly  plucked  the  flowers  of  knighthood !  discre 
tion  has  forsaken  Jerusalem,  else  it  would  never 
have  wounded  its  mistress.  Rome  roars  like  a 
wounded  lioness  ;  it  already  ascends  like  the  eagle 
to  descend  upon  its  prey." 

"  By  Jupiter,  thou  art  growing  eloquent,  O  cen 
turion.  But  thou  art  right ;  the  cloud  of  war  is 
spreading,  and  the  chariot  of  revenge  is  fast  ap 
proaching.  Nothing  but  blood  can  now  atone  for 
the  indignities  we  have  suffered.  Where  is  thy 
kinsman  Priscus,  the  commander  of  the  sixth  legion  ; 
and  Longinus  the  tribune  ;  and  Emilius  Secundus,  the 
commander  of  the  horse  ?  Does  not  their  blood  with 
that  of  six  thousand  other  heroes  cry  for  revenge  ?  " 
"Yet,  my  Marcus,  that  revenge  will  cost  Rome 
thousands  of  lives  as  precious  as  those  that  have  al 
ready  been  lost." 

"  Thou  hast  truly  said,  good  Priscus."  Here  the 
decurion  lowered  his  voice  to  a  whisper,  and  looking 
cautiously  around  continued,  "  There  would  be  no 
occasion  for  revenge  had  Cestius  kept  his  eyes  and 
ears  open.  We  took  Bezetha  without  resistance. 
When  we  pitched  our  camp  over  against  the  royal 
palace,  the  leading  men  of  the  city,  with  Ananus,  the 
son  of  Jonathan,  at  their  head,  thou  wilt  remember, 
offered  to  open  the  gates  for  us  ;  but  Cestius  partly 
from  anger  and  partly  from  distrust  spurned  their 
offer.  How  much  wiser  had  it  been  for  him  to  accept 
their  offer  than  to  have  led  that  fruitless  attack 
upon  the  northern  quarter  of  the  Temple.  But  this 
is  not  the  only  proof  of  his  folly.  When  we 


In  the  Hospital.  119 

had  undermined  the  wall  and  were  ready  to  set  fire 
to  the  gate  of  the  Temple,  the  seditious,  thou  wilt 
remember,  were  seized  with  horrible  fear,  and  many 
of  them  ran  out  of  the  city.  The  loyal  people  also, 
when  they  saw  the  confusion  of  the  rebellious,  agreed 
together  to  admit  us  into  the  city.  But  ere  victory 
could  have  time  to  crown  us  with  success,  Cestius 
gave  up  the  siege.  Then  followed  that  wild  chase 
towards  Csesarea,  and  the  rebellion  reached  an  in 
curable  stage." 

"  What  thou  sayest  is  true  ;  yet  thou  must  not  be 
too  severe  in  thy  condemnation  of  the  Legate.  Thou 
knewest  but  little  of  the  state  of  things  in  the  city 
until  thy  arrival  here.  Cestius's  knowledge  at  the 
time  was  hardly  greater  than  thine.  Yet  I  willingly 
confess  that,  being  the  commander,  he  could  have 
known  more.  But  hark  !  I  hear  footsteps." 

"  How  now  ?  Perpol !  what  hast  thou  been  doing, 
Priscus  ?  Thy  face  is  as  red  as  that  of  Bacchus,  and 
thy  pulse-beat  faster  than  the  heart  of  a  frightened 
maiden.  Shame  on  thee,  Marcus  !  I  sent  thee  here 
to  keep  the  centurion  quiet;  but  thou  hast  caused 
him  to  talk  himself  into  a  fever." 

It  was  the  surgeon  who  thus  spoke. 

"  By  Jupiter,  I  forgot  to  tie  my  tongue,  O  Caius, 
before  I  left  thy  presence,"  said  Marcus,  "  Hercle  ! 
I  hope  my  thoughtlessness  has  not  hurt  thy  patient." 

"Thou  needst  a  remedy  for  thy  disease,  ere  it 
becomes  chronic.  Consider  more  and  talk  less. 
This  remedy  taken  in  time  will  cure  thee." 

"  I  fear  my  disease  has  already  reached  a  chrome 
state  ;  nevertheless  I  will  try  thy  remedy — whenever 
I  remember." 

"  I  fear  thy  memory  is  too  fond  of  wandering  to  re 
mind  thee  of  thy  duty.  Were  Jove's  memory  half 
as  fickle  and  roving  the  world  would  soon  come  to 
an  end." 

"  Thou  art  far  too  sarcastic,  Lucius  Caius.  Beware, 
lest  thy  wit  lead  thee  into  forbidden  ground,"  said 
Marcus,  in  mock  anger. 


120  Mebekak. 

"  I  had  rather  follow  my  wit  to  destruction  than  to 
let  my  tongue  run  mad  for  want  of  wit,"  was  the  sur 
geon's  retort. 

"  Thou  seemest  to  be  taking  Marcus's  disease,  O 
Caius ;  hence  I  would  counsel  thee  to  take  the 
remedy  thou  didst  recommend  to  him,"  said  Priscus, 
with  a  smile. 

"  I  will  have  thee  take  it  first ;  hence  hold  thy 
peace.  Thou  art  under  my  control  now,  therefore  I 
demand  obedience.  Let  me  see  how  that  little  scratch 
is  to-day. 

Here  he  removed  the  bandage  and  exposed  a  severe 
wound  above  the  left  hip,  while  Marcus  bent  over  his 
shoulder.  Then,  calling  the  latter's  attention,  he 
proudly  said, 

"Ah,  seest  thou  that,  my  Marcus.  There  thou 
hast  a  proof  of  what  a  surgeon  of  the  first  Cohort, 
fifth  Legion,  can  do." 

"  Oh !  what  is  that  a  proof  of,  pray  ?  Thou  pressest 
as  though  I  had  no  feeling  left  in  me.  That  cursed 
Jew's  spear  was  not  half  as  sharp  as  thy  fingers," 
cried  Priscus. 

"  That  is  healing  nicely,"  said  the  surgeon,  ignor 
ing  his  patient's  remark.  Then  as  he  dressed  the 
wound  he  continued,  "  Chiron  could  not  have  done 
better.  Hast  thou  ever  heard  of  him,  good  Marcus  ?  " 

"  No  ;  who  was  he  ? — thy  grandfather  ?  " 

"Had  thy  grandfather  been  half  as  wise  as  he, 
thou  wouldst  be  better  acquainted  with  knowledge. 
Chiron  was  a  Centaur,  the  son  of  Chronos  and 
Philyra,  and  the  wisest  of  his  time.  He  dwelt  in  a 
grotto  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Pelion,  and  was  the 
teacher  of  the  ancient  heroes.  He  was  the  father 
of  the  healing  art ;  therefore  one  of  the  greatest  bene 
factors  of  men.  Had  the  last  act  of  his  life  been  as 
free  from  error  as  his  first,  his  wisdom  would  have 
been  perfect." 

"  That  is,  according  to  thy  judgment.  It  may  not 
be  according  to  ours." 

44  T  had  rather  trust  my  own  judgment  than  thine ; 


In  the  Hospital.  121 

therefore  I  say  that  Chiron's  wisdom  would  have 
been  perfect;  had  his  last  act  been  equal  to  his  first." 

"  Tell  us  what  that  act  was,  that  we  may  judge 
both  it  and  thy  judgment,"  suggested  Priscus  as  he 
watched  the  surgeon. 

"  Well,  then,  listen.  Being  accidentally  pierced 
by  a  poisoned  arrow  shot  by  Hercules,  the  Centaur, 
instead  of  applying  his  skill  to  the  healing  of  his  own 
wound,  resigned  his  immortality  to  Prometheus." 

"  His  skill  may  not  have  been  equal  to  the  task," 
Marcus  remarked. 

"  According  to  my  judgment  Chiron's  act  was  far 
more  perfect  as  it  was  than  as  thou  wouldst  have  it. 
He  chose  to  die  that  Prometheus  might  have  the  gift 
of  immortality,  rather  than  live  to  enjoy  immortal 
life  himself.  What  can  be  more  perfect  than  the 
spirit  of  self-sacrifice  ?"  said  the  centurion,  address 
ing  Caius. 

"  A  perfect  cure,"  was  the  reply.  "  I  trouble  not 
my  brain  with  moral  questions  ;  they  are  not  worth  a 
passing  thought.  Chiron's  self-healing  would  have 
benefited  the  world  far  more  than  his  self-sacrifice." 

"  But  his  self-healing  was  just  as  impossible  as  his 
self-sacrifice  was  selfish,"  doggedly  remarked  Marcus. 
"  He  chose  to  die  rather  than  suffer  endless  pain." 

"  Seeing  that  the  Centaur  never  lived  except  in  the 
imagination  of  the  ancients,  it  is  useless  to  dispute 
about  his  death."  This  from  Priscus. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  this  dialogue  the  surgeon 
took  his  departure,  leaving  Marcus  in  charge  of  the 
patient,  with  the  admonition  that  he  let  him  rest  in 
quiet.  The  surgeon  had  sent  him  on  his  own  request 
to  sit  a  while  with  Priscus,  for  he  and  the  centurion 
were  warm  friends  long  before  they  left  Rome. 


122  Eebekah. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

WOUNDED   IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  A  FKIEND. 

UTTERLY  unconscious  of  her  lover's  critical  con 
dition,  Rebekah  went  on  as  usual  superintending  the 
household  affairs  and  watching  the  current'of  public 
events.  The  novelty  which  she  felt  on  entering  the 
city  had  already  begun  to  give  way  to  familiarity 
with  its  various  places  and  objects  of  interest.  Con 
trary  to  the  general  rule,  however,  the  more  familiar 
she  became  with  the  Holy  City  the  more  sacred  it 
appeared  to  her.  This,  together  with  the  conscious 
ness  of  the  superior  strength  of  the  walls  which  sur 
rounded  it,  caused  her  and  her  father  to  remain  in  the 
city  while  many  of  the  prominent  men  departed  in 
quest  of  a  safer  place,  and  to  make  the  south-east 
wing  of  Merto's  house  their  home  for  the  present. 
They  scarcely  dared  to  think  of  the  future,  for  it  was 
so  gloomy  and  so  threatening.  They  tried  to  make 
the  present  bright. 

According  to  her  custom  of  late,  Rebekah  was  re 
clining  on  a  divan  in  an  apartment  corresponding  to 
the  Roman  atrium,  and  perusing  a  Hebrew  copy  of 
Matthew's  gospel,  when  she  heard  approaching  foot 
steps.  The  next  moment  a  woman  in  flowing  drapery 
entered  the  room,  and  was  warmly  welcomed  by 
Rebekah.  She  was  evidently  past  middle  age,  and 
her  face  for  the  moment  wore  an  expression  of 
fatigue,  which  made  her  look  much  older  than  she 
really  was.  Her  matronly  appearance  presented  a 
marked  contrast  to  the  youthful  figure  of  Rebekah ; 
yet  in  spite  of  this  there  was  a  strong  family  resem 
blance  between  them,  which  was  perfectly  natural, 
for  the  new-cornier  was  Herodion's  sister. 

"  Thou  lookest  wearied,"  remarked  Rebekah  sym 
pathetically. 


Wounded  in  the  ffouse  of  a  Friend.         128 

"  My  looks  do  not  belie  my  feeling.  The  suffering 
of  my  son  allowed  me  no  repose  last  night,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  The  morning  sun,  I  hope,  found  him  much  im 
proved." 

"  Oh  yes ;  and  he  has  just  awaked  from  a  refresh 
ing  sleep." 

44  Then  thou  canst  stay  awhile  with  me  seeing  I  am 
alone.  Father  is  gone  to  the  Tyropceon  to  attend  to 
his  business." 

"  Thou  rather  wilt  go  with  me,  for  Judas  would 
see  thee.  He  would  not  consent  to  send  one  of  the 
servants  to  seek  thee,  lest  thou  shouldst  refuse  to 
come." 

At  this  juncture  her  eye  lighted  on  the  book  that 
Rebekah  had  just  been  reading,  and  her  curiosity 
being  aroused  she  asked, 

"  What  is  that  thou  hast?" 

"  Matthew's  Gospel,  a  biography  of  our  Lord,  writ 
ten  by  one  of  his  disciples." 

"  Thy  time  had  been  far  better  spent  hadst  thou 
been  reading  the  Law  or  the  Prophets  rather  than 
that  cursed  trash." 

"  Cursed  trash !  Then  the  Law  and  the  Prophets 
are  nothing  but  trash." 

"  What !  darest  thou  consider  that  equal  to  our 
Sacred  Scriptures  ?  " 

"Why  not?  Is  not  the  rose  that  grows  in  the 
peasant's  garden  as  beautiful  as  that  which  grows  in 
the  garden  of  the  high  priest  ?  Do  they  not  receive 
their  life  and  beauty  from  the  same  source?  The 
Law  came  through  Moses ;  but  who  was  Moses  ?  A 
divinely  inspired  man.  This  book  came  through 
Matthew;  but  who  was  Matthew?  A  converted 
publican,  a  divinely  inspired  man.  There  is  but  one 
God;  therefore  both  Moses  and  Matthew  received 
their  inspiration  from  the  same  source.  If  thou 
wouldst  have  a  proof  of  the  origin  of  this  Book  thou 
must  read  it  and  study  it  for  thyself.  There  are 
hundreds  in  Jerusalem  that  can  bear  witness  to  its 


124  Selekah. 

truthfulness  if  they  would.  But  enough  of  this  at 
present.  Let  us  to  thy  son." 

"  Thy  argument  seems  plausible ;  but  thou  canst 
never  convince  me  that  the  history  of  Jesus  of  Naz 
areth,  written  by  a  publican,  is  divinely  inspired  !  " 

Here  the  discussion  ended,  and  the  two  women 
passed  out  upon  the  veranda,  which  they  followed  to 
the  main  part  of  the  house,  overlooking  the  Tyro- 
paeon,  and  entered  a  room  corresponding  to  the  one 
they  had  just  left,  in  which  they  found  Judas  lying 
upon  a  divan.  His  left  cheek  was  bandaged,  and  his 
face  was  much  paler  and  thinner  than  when  we  made 
his  acquaintance  at  Csesarea.  In  other  respects  he 
had  undergone  no  change.  As  Rebekah  entered  the 
room  a  slight  flush  of  pleasure  passed  over  his  face, 
and  his  unpleasant  voice  seemed  to  lose  some  of  its 
harshness  as  he  exchanged  greetings  with  her. 

"  I  am  glad  to  find  thee  so  well,"  said  Rebekah  as 
she  seated  herself. 

"  And  I  am  glad — exceedingly  glad  to  see  thee, 
Rebekah,"  was  the  reply.  "Thou  art  to  me  as  the 
dew  of  Hermon,  or  as  sunshine  after  the  rain.  I 
would  have  sent  for  thee  yesterday,  but  my  mother 
prevailed  upon  me  to  wait  till  to-day.  Now  that 
thou  art  here,  tell  me  the  latest  news  from  our  gen 
erals." 

"  Why  should  I  tell  thee  what  the  wisdom  of  thy 
mother  has  withheld  from  thee  ?  " 

"  I  only  ask  thee  to  tell  me  more  fully  what  I 
already  know  in  part." 

Here  Rebekah  turned  towards  the  divan  upon  which 
Judas's  mother  had  seated  herself  when  she  entered 
the  room,  evidently  with  the  intention  of  ascertaining 
her  will  in  the  matter;  but  finding  that  she  had  left 
the  room,  she  asked  Judas  what  facts  he  already 
knew.  He  replied  with  a  smile, 

"  Care  not  what  I  have  heard.  Old  facts  from  thy 
lips  will  sound  as  good  as  new." 

"  Wilt  thou  promise  not  to  become  excited  ? *'  she 
again  asked,  doubtfully. 


Wounded  in  the  House  of  a  Friend.         125 

"  I  will  remain  as  cool  as  Elijah  was  while  listening 
to  the  music  of  the  birds  near  the  brook  Cherith. 
Go  on." 

"  The  latest  news  has  come  from  Galilee.  Josephus, 
as  thou  knowest,  has  been  fortifying  the  cities  there, 
and  has  gathered  together  an  army  of  one  hundred 
thousand  young  men.  While  he  was  occupied  in  the 
training  of  these  men,  John  of  Gischala,  a  shrewd, 
wicked,  unscrupulous  man,  envious  of  Josephus's 
success,  began  to  plot  against  him.  First,  he  caused 
the  people  to  believe  that  Josephus  was  a  traitor,  and 
his  whole  army  except  four  turned  against  him.  As 
they  were  about  to  set  fire  to  the  house  where  he  was, 
he  leapt  out  among  them  with  his  clothes  rent,  and 
ashes  upon  his  head,  and  a  sword  hanging  at  his  neck. 
This  awakened  the  pity  of  the  people  of  Tarichese, 
and  Josephus,  taking  advantage  of  this,  sought  to  re 
gain  his  influence  over  his  army.  Being  accused  of 
keeping  the  spoils  taken  from  the  steward  of  Agrippa 
and  Berenice,  he  replied  that  he  intended  to  expend 
them  in  fortifying  Tarichese  and  other  cities.  Thus 
he  conciliated  all  but  two  thousand  of  his  men  by 
telling  them  a  lie,  for  his  real  intention  was  to  return 
the  spoils  to  their  rightful  owners." 

"  Ha,  ha !  by  the  hosts  of  heaven,  that  was  well 
done,  Josephus.  But  what  became  of  the  two 
thousand  ?  " 

"  They  gathered  around  his  house,  and  threatened 
to  kill  him.  But  he  again  resorted  to  stratagem. 
Beguiling  a  few  of  their  leaders  into  the  house  he 
caused  them  to  be  led  bej^ond  hearing  distance,  and 
there  to  be  whipped  till  their  inward  parts  .appeared. 
Then  he  sent  them,  covered  with  blood,  back  to  their 
fellows,  who,  when  they  saw  them,  were  seized  with 
fear  and  ran  away  in  great  confusion." 

44  Ha,  ha,  ha!  good — very  good.  A  second  Joshua, 
by  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  !  With  such  a  general  at 
the  head  of  our  armies  we  can  both  avenge  ourselves 
upon  our  enemies  and  conquer  the  world  !  " 

"  There  !  thou  art  becoming  excited," 


126  Eebekah. 

"  Call  it  not  excitement,  Rebekah,  but  admiration. 
It  were  madness  not  to  admire  such  a  man.  But  go 
on." 

"  As  soon  as  John  saw  that  his  first  plot  had  failed, 
he  resorted  to  a  second.  Pretending  that  he  was 
sick,  he  obtained  leave  to  use  the  hot  baths  at  Tiberias, 
and  two  days  later  tried  to  incite  the  people  to  rebel 
lion  against  Josephus.  But  the  general,  being  secretly 
informed  of  the  plot,  unexpectedly  marched  into  the 
city.  As  he  was  about  to  address  the  people,  how 
ever,  a  few  of  John's  men  drew  their  swords  to  kill 
him,  and  he  saved  himself  by  fleeing  to  the  sea-shore 
with  his  followers,  and  by  leaping  into  a  ship  with 
two  of  his  guards  and  pushing  out  from  the  shore. 

"  Seeing  that  his  second  plot  had  also  failed,  and 
that  his  own  life  was  in  danger,  John  fled  to  Gischala, 
where  a  few  days  later  he  was  deserted  by  three 
thousand  men.  Being  still  bent  on  mischief,  how 
ever,  he  sent  false  accusations  against  Josephus  to 
this  city,  and  secured  the  support  of  a  few  of  the 
chief  men,  who  sent  four  of  their  number  with  two 
thousand  and  five  hundred  soldiers  to  force  him  to 
resign  his  position.  But  Josephus  compelled  these 
intriguers  to  return  with  but  few  of  their  followers 
to  Jerusalem,  he  himself  taking  charge  of  their  best 
warriors. 

"  When  he  had  repaired  the  mischief  they  had  done, 
Tiberias  rose  up  in  arms  against  him  and  he  was  again 
compelled  to  resort  to  stratagem.  Seeing  that  most 
of  his  men  were  away  gathering  supplies,  he  seized 
about  two  hundred  and  thirty  ships,  and  placing  four 
men  only  in  each  of  them,  he  ordered  that  the  gates 
of  Taricheae  be  kept  closed  while  he  sailed  to  Tiberias, 
that  the  rebels  might  not  learn  his  true  force.  When 
he  came  in  sight  of  the  city,  he  and  seven  of  his 
guards,  all  unarmed,  drew  near  enough  to  the  shore 
to  be  seen,  while  the  almost  empty  ships  floated  up 
and  down  in  the  distance.  Thinking  that  Josephus 
had  an  immense  army  with  him,  the  people  of  Tiberias 
implored  him  to  spare  the  city.  But  he  gave  them 


Wounded  in  the  House  of  a  Friend.         127 

no  assurance  until  he  had  succeeded  through  various 
pretenses  in  getting  their  entire  senate  of  six  hundred 
men  in  his  power,  and  had  sent  these,  together  with 
two  thousand  of  the  populace,  to  Taricheae  to  be  cast 
into  prison." 

"  Good !  ha,  ha !  excellent !  By  the  sword  of 
Goliath,  the  first  of  the  Caesars  never  conceived  a 
stratagem  half  as  fine  as  that." 

"  Learning  that  one  Clitus  was  the  chief  offender, 
Josephus  decided  to  punish  him  by  having  both  his 
hands  cut  off.  But  the  offender  begged  him  to  spare 
one  of  his  hands,  and  his  request  was  granted  on  the 
condition  that  he  inflict  the  punishment  upon  him 
self.  Then  Clitus,  in  the  sight  of  all,  cut  off  his  left 
hand  with  his  own  sword." 

"  How  brave ;  yet  how  unfortunate  !  I  pray  the 
God  of  our  fathers  to  spare  my  two  hands  until  the 
last  enemy  of  Israel  is  dead  !  " 

"  Hadst  thou  not  better  pray  that  thy  head  also  be 
spared  thee  ?  " 

This  remark  had  a  very  unexpected  effect  upon 
Judas.  He  knit  his  brows  in  the  most  threatening 
manner,  and  his  face  assumed  a  dark,  sinister  expres 
sion.  Rebekah's  first  impulse  at  seeing  this  sudden 
and  mysterious  change  was  to  flee  from  the  room ; 
but  as  it  lasted  but  an  instant  she  restrained  herself 
and  sought  an  explanation. 

"A  mere  delusion  seized  me,  that  is  all.  Pray 
continue  thy  narrative,"  was  the  reply." 

"  There  is  but  little  more  to  say,"  said  Rebekah, 
regaining  her  self-possession.  "  Josephus  forced  the 
people  into  submission,  and  a  few  days  later  marched 
against  Gischala  and  Sepphoris,  which  also  had  re 
volted,  and  after  taking  them  he  caused  them  to  be 
plundered  that  he  might  gain  their  good  will  by  re 
turning  the  spoil  to  them,  which  he  did  in  due  time." 

"  W  hat  became  of  John  when  Gischala  was  taken  ?  " 

"  I  know  not ;  I  have  told  thee  all  I  have  heard." 

"  And  I  have  heard  all  thou  hast  told  me.    Thy 


128  Rebekah. 

words  are  to  me  as  drops  of  honey  from  the  honey 
comb." 

"  Then  what  thou  regardest  as  sweet  is  bitterness 
to  me.  I  love  not  war  nor  rumors  of  war,  and  con 
tention  I  abhor.  A  house  divided  against  itself  can 
not  stand." 

"  When  the  wolves  smell  the  prey  they  leave  off 
fig]  i  ting  each  other." 

"  Say  rather  that  chasing  the  prey  is  a  truce  that 
ends  in  a  quarrel.  Unity  and  envy  cannot  dwell  to 
gether  ;  strife  cripples  confidence.  If  John  hates 
Josephus  now,  will  he  love  him  when  the  Roman 
eagles  are  in  sight." 

"  John  may  not  love  Josephus  better  then  than 
now  ;  but  the  presence  of  a  common  enemy  will  give 
them  food  enough  for  thought  and  action.  But 
enough  of  this.  Wilt  thou  put  that  pillow  under  my 
head?" 

"  That  reminds  me  of  a  question  I  was  going  to 
ask  thee,"  said  Rebekah,  as  she  complied  with  his  re 
quest.  "  How  wast  thou  wounded  ?  " 

Little  did  she  think  when  asking  this  question  that 
she  was  again  approaching  the  same  cause  that  had  a 
short  time  before  produced  such  a  change  in  Judas, 
or  that  the  explanation  she  sought  would  be  likely 
to  wound  her  heart. 

After  a  moment's  pause,  Judas  proceeded  to  answer 
her  question,  endeavoring  to  suppress  the  feelings  it 
had  awakened. 

".It  was  my  intention  to  tell  thee  later  what  thou 
seekest  to  know,  but  since  thou  desirest  to  hear  it 
now,  I  shall  comply  with  thy  request.  Of  Cestius's 
defeat  thou  art  already  informed.  Thou  also  knowest 
that  we  pursued  his  army  as  far  as  Antipatris.  Ha, 
ha!  thou  shouldst  have  seen  them  run,  and  heard 
their  cries  when  we  penned  them  in  in  the  narrow 
passes !  It  was  at  the  end  of  one  of  those  passes, 
however,  I  was  wounded.  I  had  placed  my  men  in 
such  a  way  that  none  could  leave  the  pass  without 
breaking  through  our  strong  ranks.  Driven  almost 


Wounded  in  the  House  of  a  Friena.        129 

into  madness  by  the  darts  of  those  above  them,  and 
the  spears  and  swords  of  those  behind  them,  the  un- 
circumcised  dogs  rushed  upon  us  and  fought  like 
fiends.  At  first  we  cut  them  down  like  grass,  but  at 
last  we  had  to  give  way  to  Roman  fury.  As  they 
broke  our  ranks  I  saw  a  centurion  spurring  his  horse  to 
wards  us,  and  seizing  a  spear  that  lay  by  a  dead  soldier, 
I  rushed  towards  him  and  thrust  it  into  his  side  ;  but 
before  I  could  withdraw  the  spear  the  son  of  Belial 
wounded  me  in  my  face,  and  we  both  fell." 

"  Didst  thou — was  his  wound  mortal  ?  " 

"  The  son  of  Merto  never  inflicted  a  wound  that 
was  not  mortal." 

"  Didst  thou  know  him  ?    Knowest  thou  his  name  ?  " 

"  I  had  seen  him  once  or  twice."  Then  he  added, 
with  inward  exultation,  "  His  name  was  Priscus." 

Rebekah  fainted  under  this  cruel  blow.  After  she 
was  restored,  Judas  tried  to  excuse  his  heartlessness 
by  saying  that  he  did  not  know  that  the  centurion 
was  a  friend  of  hers,  and  that  he  regretted  he  did  not 
conceal  his  name. 

When  her  father  came  home  from  the  stall  which 
he  had  lately  bought  in  the  clothes  bazaar,  he  found 
his  daughter  in  tears.  It  was  the  first  time  she  had 
failed  to  greet  his  arrival  with  a  smile  since  their  re 
moval  to  Jerusalem.  The  cause  of  this  change  would 
not  have  been  flattered  had  he  known  what  was  pass 
ing  through  his  cousin's  mind  just  then.  Her 
womanly  instincts  had  taught  her  already  that  he 
was  neither  amiable  nor  trustworthy,  and  the  cruel 
manner  in  which  he  referred  to  his  alleged  victory 
over  his  enemy  did  not  raise  him  in  her  estimation. 

On  hearing  the  cause  of  her  trouble,  Herodion  hast 
ened  to  hand  her  a  letter  which  soon  restored  her  to 
cheerfulness.  It  was  from  Priscus,  and  contained  an 
account  of  what  the  reader  already  knows;  and  since 
it  agreed  with  what  Judas  had  said,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  the  statement  that  Priscus  was  dead,  her 
charitable  nature  was  inclined  to  absolve  her  cousin 
from  intentional  misstatement  in  the  particular  which 


130  BebeJcah. 

c. 

had  wounded  her  most.  The  fact  that  Prisons  re 
garded  his  antagonist  as  being  dead,  also  aided  in 
bringing  her  to  this  favorable  state  of  heart  and  mind. 
It  is  quite  possible,  however,  that  her  charitable 
nature  would  have  been  greatly  tried  the  next  day 
had  she  known  the  feelings  of  her  cousin  when  he 
learned  that  Priscus  was  not  only  alive,  but  nearly 
well.  Nor  did  she  know  that  his  own  recovery  was 
arrested  not  a  little  by  the  intelligence  which  had 
given  her  such  pleasure.  Such,  however,  was  the 
fact. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

"WAKS   AND    BUMORS   OF   WAKS." 

TIME  went  on,  and  matters  grew  worse. 

"Hast  thou  heard  the  last  news  from  Galilee, 
Rebekah?"  asked  Merto's  wife  as  her  niece  de 
scended  into  the  court  on  her  way  to  her  father's 
stall. 

"So  many  reports  reach  the  city  now  that  I 
scarcely  know  which  is  the  last,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Hast  thou  heard,  then,  that  Josephus's  attempt 
to  take  Sepphoris  from  the  Romans  has  caused  Ves 
pasian  to  march  into  Galilee  with  a  large  army,  and 
that  many  of  the  towns  and  villages  have  already 
been  destroyed  by  the  uncircumcised  dog?  " 

"  Yes ;  my  father  told  me  last  night.  He  also  said 
that  Titus  is  on  his  way  to  Ptolemais  with  reinforce 
ments.  I  fear  the  walled  cities  will  next  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy." 

"  Would  that  our  army  had  been  more  worthy  of 
our  ancient  heroes  in  its  attack  upon  Ascalon  !  But 
it  suffered  itself  to  be  twice  defeated,  and  lost  two  of 
its  best  generals,  besides  thousands  of  Israel's  bravest 
sons,  while  it  might  have  swallowed  the  victor  as  a 
dog  does  a  sweet  morsel." 

"  If  Josephus  should  also  suffer  himself  to  be  van 
quished,  I  tear  Jerusalem  would  have  other  employ- 


"  Wars  and  Humors  of  Wars."  131 

ment  than  repairing  its  walls  and  manufacturing 
arms." 

Having  said  this,  Rebekah  passed  out  into  the 
street,  and  descended  through  the  bazaar  of  the 
butchers  into  the  Tyropreon.  Entering  the  most 
stirring  business  street,  which  as  usual  was  filled 
with  people,  she  made  her  way  with  difficulty  past 
the  shops  of  the  braziers  and  the  square  where  the 
announcements  of  the  new  moon  were  made,  into  the 
clothes  bazaar,  in  the  midst  of  which  she  found  her 
father  busily  engaged.  The  customer  on  whom  her 
father  waited  was  a  remarkable-looking  person. 
Nearly  his  whole  face  was  covered  with  a  thick, 
white  beard,  reaching  down  almost  to  his  knees. 
Flashing  brown  eyes  looked  from  under  his  long, 
bushy  eyebrows,  and  a  large,  aquiline  nose  spoke  of 
the  strength  of  his  character.  His  snow-white  hair 
hung  over  his  slightly  bent  shoulders,  reaching  below 
the  girdle  which  held  together  his  white  linen  gar 
ment.  On  his  forehead  he  wore  a  plate  of  gold 
on  which  was  inscribed,  "  Holiness  to  the  Lord." 
Herodion's  demeanor  towards  his  customer,  was  rev 
erential  in  the  extreme,  which  was  perfectly  proper, 
since  he  was  James  the  Just,  the  brother  of  our  Lord, 
and  the  Bishop  of  the  church  at  Jerusalem.  He  was 
a  Nazarite,  having  from  childhood  abstained  from 
wine,  oil,  the  bath,  and  the  razor.  He  was  greatly 
venerated  by  Christians  and  Jews  alike ;  by  the 
former  on  account  of  his  Davidic  origin,  his  close 
relationship  to  our  Lord,  and  his  holy  life ;  and  by 
the  latter  on  account  of  his  royal  origin  and  his  con 
tinual  praying  at  the  temple  for  the  forgiveness  of  his 
people. 

As  Rebekah  approached  the  bishop  he  greeted  her 
in  a  dignified  manner,  and  she  returned  his  greeting 
with  due  reverence.  They  had  often  met  before,  for 
she  and  her  father  were  members  of  his  church.  Re 
suming  the  conversation  in  which  he  and  Herodion 
were  engaged,  James  said  in  a  deep  and  impressive 
voice, 


132  Relekah. 

"  Truly  has  the  Son  of  Man  said,  '  Ye  shall  hear  of 
wars  and  rumors  of  wars.  Nation  shall  rise  against 
nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom;  and  there 
shall  be  famines  and  pestilences,  and  earthquakes  in 
divers  places.'  The  avenger  is  already  abroad ;  he 
reduces  our  cities  and  towns  to  ashes ;  covers  our 
plains  with  rivers  of  blood,  and  fills  our  ears  with  the 
din  of  battle.  But  yesterday  Gadara,  the  proud  capi 
tal  of  Persea,  encircled  the  brow  of  its  native  hill  like 
a  sparkling  crown.  Its  beautiful  streets,  lined  with 
marble  pillars,  welcomed  the  citizen  and  the  stranger ; 
its  children  played  in  the  shadow  of  its  grand  edifices, 
and  its  maidens  cheered  its  gardens  with  their  smiles 
and  their  songs.  To-day  it  is  as  Sodom,  and  its  in 
habitants  are  as  silent  as  those  whom  they  had  laid  in 
its  rock-hewn  tombs.  Japha  boasted  in  vain  of  its 
strength.  Its  double  wall  was  its  curse,  and  its  iron 
gates  its  destruction.  Its  warriors  rushed  like  mad 
men  upon  the  Romans,  and  had  their  throats  cut  like 
sheep  between  the  "two  walls.  Titus  and  Trajan 
with  their  thousands  leaped  the  wall  like  harts,  and 
fought  like  lions  in  the  streets.  They  left  fifteen 
thousand  men  to  be  food  for  vultures,  and  sold  two 
thousand  women  and  children  into  slavery.  The 
Samaritans,  conspiring  against  the  mighty,  took 
refuge  in  their  holy  mount,  Gerizim.  Cerealis 
swooped  upon  them  like  an  eagle  upon  his  prey,  and 
covered  the  mount  with  the  slain.  Israel  has  sinned, 
and  Samaria  has  gone  astray;  therefore  judgment  has 
come  upon  us." 

All  who  heard  these  words  stood  as  though  they 
were  riveted  to  the  floor,  and  their  faces  expressed  a 
mingled  feeling  of  terror  and  awe.  When  he  paused 
Rebekah  asked  in  a  trembling  voice, 

"  Thinkest  thou,  O  just  one,  that  evil  shall  befall 
the  Holy  City  ?  " 

"  The  Holy  City  shall  not  escape,  my  child,  it  shall 
not  escape.  The  Son  of  Man  has  said  explicitly, 
4  The  days  shall  come  upon  thee,  that  thine  enemies 
shall  cast  a  trench  about  thee,  and  compass  thee 


"  Wars  and  Rumors  of  Wars."  133 

round,  and  keep  thee  in  on  every  side,  and  shall  lay 
thee  even  with  the  ground,  and  thy  children  within 
thee.'  Even  the  Temple  shall  not  escape,  for  the 
Crucified  One  has  also  said,  '  Verily  I  say  unto  you, 
there  shall  not  be  left  here  one  stone  upon  another, 
that  shall  not  be  thrown  down.'  These  things  must 
needs  come  to  pass;  therefore  ye  that  would  save 
yourselves,  flee  to  the  mountains.  As  for  me,  I  shall 
not  leave  my  flock.  Near  as  that  evil  day  seems,  I 
may  not  live  to  see  it.  But  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will  that 
I  shall  see  it,  I  shall  lay  down  my  life  in  the  city  that 
witnessed  the  death  and  resurrection  of  my  Lord. 
Be  ye  ready,  my  children,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
think  not  the  Son  of  Man  cometh. — Hast  thou  made 
ready  that  robe,  Herodion  ?  " 

"  It  is  ready,  O  just  one,"  was  the  reply. 

As  the  bishop  started  to  go  he  beckoned  to  a  ser 
vant  to  take  the  package,  and  lifting  his  hand  he  pro 
nounced  a  blessing  upon  those  present  and  passed  out 
of  the  bazaar,  while  every  one  bowed  reverentially  to 
him.  Soon  after  he  departed  a  middle-aged  man  en 
tered  the  bazaar,  and  approached  the  spot  where 
Rebekah  and  her  father  stood,  with  a  solemn  face. 

"Peace  to  thee,  Rabbi  Amos,"  said  Herodion, 
addressing  the  new-comer. 

"  And  to  thee  and  thine  be  peace,"  was  the  prompt 
reply.  "  To  me  there  is  no  peace.  The  troubles  that 
have  come  upon  our  land  cast  their  shadow  upon  my 
heart." 

"  What  is  the  latest  news  from  Galilee  ?  " 

"  Jotapata  has  fallen  and  Josephus  is  killed." 

"  The  God  of  Abraham  have  mercy  upon  us,"  cried 
a  dozen  voices  as  they  gathered  around  the  rabbi. 

"  Hast  thou  learned  the  particulars  ?  "  asked  one  of 
the  clerks  in  a  husky  voice. 

uAy;  my  son  has  just  arrived  from  Sepphoris, 
where  the  fate  of  Jotapata  is  on  every  tongue." 

"Were  there  many  killed?  Is  the  city  destroyed? 
Where  is  the  enemy  now?"  asked  another  voice, 
eagerly. 


134  Rebekdh. 

"Have  patience,  and  I  will  tell  all  I  know.  The 
siege,  as  you  all  know,  began  on  the  twenty-first  day 
of  the  month  lyar,  the  same  in  which  Josephus  fled 
into  the  city.  That  uncircnmcised  dog  called  Ves 
pasian,  possessed  with  the  thought  that  he  could  cap 
ture  both  the  city  and  the  general  at  once,  sent 
Placidus  with  a  thousand  horsemen  to  begin  the 
siege,  and  on  the  next  day  he  followed  with  his 
whole  army.  The  citizens  of  Jotapata,  though  they 
knew  that  their  city,  being  built  on  a  height  with  a 
steep  precipice  on  one  side  and  deep  ravines  on  the 
others,  was  in  no  immediate  danger,  were  seized  with 
great  terror  when  they  saw  themselves  encompassed 
with  a  double  row  of  battalions,  and  the  rest  of  the 
enemy  on  a  hill  in  full  sight  of  them.  Yet  did  their 
terror  not  weaken  their  courage,  for  thej^  made  sallies 
upon  the  enemy  for  five  days,  and  killed  and  wounded 
many  of  them.  Imagining  that  he  could  overcome 
the  natural  strength  of  the  city  by  raising  a  bank 
against  the  most  accessible  part  of  the  wall,  Vespasian 
commanded  wood  and  stone  to  be  brought  from  the 
neighboring  mountains,  and  men  to  be  put  at  work 
immediately.  He  also  caused  hurdles  to  be  placed  for 
protection  over  the  workmen,  and  one  hundred  and 
sixty  engines  to  be  set  around  the  city  to  throw 
stones  and  darts  at  those  upon  the  walls.  But  the 
wit  of  the  Jew  was  equal  to  the  audacity  of  the 
Roman.  Josephus — may  the  God  of  our  fathers  help 
us  to  avenge  his  death — caused  workmen  to  go  and 
build  the  wall  twenty  cubits  higher,  which  they  did 
under  the  protection  of  the  hides  of  newly-killed 
oxen,  spread  between  them  and  the  enemy." 

Here  a  shout  of  approval  interrupted  the  rabbi  for 
a  moment.  Continuing  he  said, 

"  This  stratagem  discouraged  the  enemy,  and  they 
decided  to  take  the  city  by  starvation.  Now  the  be 
sieged  had  plenty  of  all  necessaries  but  water ;  yet 
when  the  Romans  saw  the  MI  taking  their  water  by 
measure  they  greatly  rejoiced.  But  they  again  be 
came  discouraged  when  Josephus  ordered  the  people 


"  Wars  and  Rumors  of  Wars.1'  135 

to  wet  their  clothes  and  hang  them  on  the  battle 
ments,  so  that  the  water  began  suddenly  to  run 
down  the  wall." 

Another  shout  of  approval. 

"  Josephus  also,  seeing  a  certain  place  difficult  of 
ascent  unguarded  by  the  enemy,  caused  supplies  to 
be  brought  from  the  country  round  about  by  men 
covered  with  sheepskins ;  but  these  were  soon  dis 
covered,  and  the  place  guarded.  Rushing  out  with 
the  courage  of  despair,  the  besieged  now  made  several 
sallies  upon  the  enemy,  who  finally  put  a  stop  to  them 
with  their  engines  and  archers.  They  also  began  to 
batter  that  part  of  the  wall  that  was  lately  built,  with 
their  battering  ram.  This,  together  with  the  other 
engines  being  set  on  fire  and  destroyed  by  our  brave 
countrymen,  the  Roman  dogs  fled  like  sheep;  but 
they  built  another  ram  in  the  evening,  and  brought 
other  engines  to  throw  darts  and  stones.  The  noise 
made  by  these  engines  was  most  terrible,  and  the 
slaughter  caused  by  them  most  shocking.  Early  next 
morning  the  wall  fell,  but  the  besieged,  nothing 
daunted,  immediately  began  to  build  a  wall  inside  the 
part  that  had  been  thrown  down,  while  the  Romans 
prepared  themselves  to  enter  the  city.  Their  dili 
gence  availed  them  but  little,  however,  for  the  enemy 
was  soon  upon  them.  Flushed  with  the  hope  of  suc 
cess,  Vespasian  placed  his  army  in  order  on  the  hill 
sides  around  the  city  and  near  the  wall.  Josephus 
also,  perceiving  his  design,  arrayed  all  the  strong  men 
near  the  breach  in  the  wall,  and  shut  the  women  in 
the  houses,  that  their  cries  might  not  dishearten  the 
men.  Then  a  terrible  struggle  followed,  the  enemy 
striving  to  enter  the  city  and  the  besieged  hurling 
them  back  into  the  breach.  But  our  noble  country 
men  soon  began  to  grow  weary  with  fighting,  having 
none  to  succor  them.  What  they  failed  to  do,  how 
ever,  on  account  of  weariness,  Josephus  did  with  a 
stratagem.  When  the  besiegers  were  about  to  enter 
the  city,  the  general  caused  scalding  oil  to  be  poured 
upon  them,  and  many  of  them  tumbled  back,  writhing 


136  Helekah. 

with   agony,    upon    those    ascending  behind  them, 
causing  great  confusion.'* 

The  crowd  around  the  speaker  was  now  so  large  as 
to  block  the  passage  between  the  different  stalls,  and 
applauded  louder  than  ever.  A  cold  shiver  ran 
through  Rebekah,  however,  as  she  listened  to  the 
remark  about  the  scalding  oil,  and  she  cast  an  appre 
hensive  look  towards  her  father.  He  divined  her 
thoughts,  but  said  nothing. 

"  The  courage  of  the  Romans  did  not  fail  them 
however,"  continued  the  rabbi ;  "  but  they  rushed 
continually  to  take  the  place  of  those  who  had  been 
scalded,  until  Vespasian  commanded  them  to  leave 
off  fighting. 

"  Being  ashamed  of  their  want  of  success,  and 
seeing  that  a  great  number  of  them  had  been  slain, 
the  Romans  now  became  very  angry,  and  Vespasian 
in  order  to  give  them  something  to  do  caused  them 
to  raise  the  bank  still  higher,  and  build  three  towers 
of  wood  lined  with  iron.  These  were  soon  finished, 
the  besieged  being  unable  to  hinder  the  work ;  and 
the  slingers  and  archers  who  stood  on  these  towers 
did  great  mischief  without  being  harmed  themselves, 
since  they  were  much  higher  than  the  wall.  About 
this  time,  a  deserter,  may  Abaddon  take  him,  informed 
Vespasian  that  he  might  easily  take  the  city  during 
the  fourth  watch,  for  the  guards  were  then  asleep." 

"  May  his  soul  burn  forever  in  Tophet,  and  his 
name  perish  from  the  earth,"  cried  the  crowd. 

"  The  uncircumcised  dogs  cut  the  throats  of  the 
guards  on  the  next  morning,  and  took  the  city  when 
all  were  asleep.  The  streets  became  rivers  of  blood ; 
every  house  became  a  tomb;  and  even  the  echoing 
rocks  mocked  the  piercing  cries  of  the  afflicted  and 
the  dying.  Josephus,  the  wise,  the  mighty,  the 
bravest  among  ten  thousand,  is  no  more  !  Let  the 
arm  that  slew  him  wither  and  die,  and  the  heart  that 
gave  that  arm  strength  be  eaten  up  of  worms  !  Jota- 
pata,  the  glory  of  Galilee,  the  chief  among  many 
cities,  is  as  Nineveh  and  as  Babylon.  Cursed  be  its 


Evil  Tidings.  137 

destroyers!  May  their  children  be  fatherless,  and 
their  wives  homeless  and  childless  !  The  slain  of 
Jotapata  are  forty  thousand  ;  let  the  slain  of  Rome 
be  forty  times  forty  thousand !  Let  the  twelve  hun 
dred  widows  and  orphans  taken  captive  be  a  curse  to 
as  many  million  Romans  I  " 

While  the  rabbi  uttered  these  terrible  imprecations 
his  face  wore  a  demonlike  expression,  his  voice  was 
almost  choked  with  anger,  his  mouth  was  covered 
with  froth,  and  his  eyes  seemed  to  be  on  fire.  The 
crowd  that  surrounded  him  was  nearly  as  excited  as 
himself ;  for  every  one  talked  as  loud  as  he  could, 
and  invoked  the  most  fearful  curses  upon  the  Romans. 
Rebekah  and  her  father,  however,  stood  apart  from 
the  crowd,  and  looked  on  with  flushed  cheeks  and 
beating  hearts.  Did  they  also  hate  the  Romans  ? 
Ay;  all  but  one.  That  one  they  could  not  hate, 
although  he  was  a  Roman.  Nor  would  they  have 
hated  his  people  under  ordinary  circumstances. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

EVIL  TIDINGS. 

REBEKAH  waited  awhile  for  the  crowd  to  disperse, 
and  then  returned  home,  musing  on  what  she  had 
heard,  and  trying  in  vain  to  harmonize  the  conflicting 
interests  which  appealed  to  her  heart.  She  loved  her 
people  well,  but  Priscus  better.  She  hoped  at  one 
moment  that  he  had  won  military  honors ;  the  next, 
that  he  had  not.  She  admired  the  stratagem  that 
delayed  the  fall  of  Jotapata,  but  shrank  with  horror 
from  the  thought  of  its  cruelty,  especially  as  she 
could  not  get  rid  of  a  presentiment  that  her  lover 
was  among  those  that  had  been  scalded.  The  days 
and  weeks  that  followed  the  evil  news  concerning 
Jotapata  greatly  taxed  her  nature.  A  letter  should 
have  reached  her  the  day  she  visited  her  father's 
stall ;  but  it  came  not  until  a  few  weeks  later,  when 


138  Rebekah. 

she  had  almost  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  hearing  from 
Prisons  again.  The  letter  was  brought  to  her  by  a 
servant  one  afternoon  as  she  lay  musing  in  the  sum 
mer-house  on  the  roof.  As  she  glanced  over  the 
address  a  flush  of  pleasure  rose  to  her  beautiful 
cheeks  and  tears  of  joy  filled  her  pathetic  eyes  ;  and 
dismissing  the  servant  she  broke  the  seal  and  read 
and  commented  as  follows : 

"  ROMAN  CAMPS,  PTOLEMAIS,  III.  KAL.  AUG. 

"Prisons  to  Relekah. 

"  O  FAIREST  OF  THE  FAIR.  To  write  to  thee  is 
a  delight  for  which  for  many  days,  I  scarcely  dared 
to  hope.  But  even  when  my  reason  wandered  my 
thoughts  would  cling  to  thee ;  and  when  my  life  was 
in  the  balance,  they  often  summoned  thee  to  hover 
over  my  bed  like  some  fair,  bewitching  being  from 
another  world." 

"Ah!  then,"  cried  the  reader  excitedly,  "my  fears 
have  not  fed  upon  a  delusion.  My  beloved  has 
indeed  been  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death ! 
Father  I  thank  thee  for  sparing  his  life.  Grant  that 
his  health  be  now  restored." 

Eagerly  turning  to  the  letter  she  again  read, 

"  But  thou  wouldst  neither  let  me  hear  thy  sweet 
voice  nor  see  thy  charming  face.  Yet  will  I  not 
upbraid  thee,  seeing  it  was  only  thy  shadow.  Thou 
didst  never  deny  me  either  word  or  look ;  hence  thy 
presence  was  to  me  a  perpetual  joy  and  inspiration. 
Would  that  the  barriers  between  me  and  thee  were 
broken  down !  Would  that  I  could  bask  in  the  sun 
shine  of  thy  presence  once  more !  But  the  Lord  wills 
it  otherwise  at  present ;  let  us  pray  for  more  patience." 

"  Ay ;  we  need  patience,"  again  commented  Re- 
bekah.  "  Our  hearts  yearn  and  sigh  for  present  good, 
and  will  not  heed  the  good  to  come,  however  great. 
O  Priscus,  the  chains  of  custom  alone  keep  me  from 
thy  side,  as  war  and  weakness  keep  thy  Love  from 


Evil  Tidings.  139 

"  Now  let  me  tell  thee  more  fully  what  I  have  al 
ready  hinted  at,"she  continued  to  read.  "  I  have  again 
been  on  the  verge  of  the  grave,  and  am  even  now 
hardly  able  to  write  as  thou  seest  by  my  scribbling. 
Thou  hast,  doubtless,  heard  of  the  fall  of  Jotapata, 
and  of  the  incidents  of  the  siege.  One  of  those  in 
cidents,  thou  wilt  remember,  was  the  pouring  of  that 
scalding  oil.  As  for  me  it  requires  no  effort  to  re 
member  it.  Yet  would  I  not  forget  that  such  cruel 
ty  was  the  result  of  necessity,  and  that  no  other 
stratagem  could  have  so  effectually  prolonged  the 
siege.  The  dismounted  horsemen  were  almost  victo 
rious  when  that  burning  shower  fell  upon  them,  throw 
ing  them  into  the  greatest  confusion.  Charging 
them  with  cowardice  and  rushing  over  their  writhing- 
forms,  our  cohort  sought  to  regain  the  advantage 
that  had  been  lost,  but  met  with  the  same  fate  as  the 
horsemen.  And  what  a  horrible  fate  it  was  !  Men 
who  had  defied  death  in  a  thousand  forms  howled 
like  madmen,  cursed  like  fiends,  and  writhed  like 
those  in  the  agonies  of  hell !  Others  implored 
their  comrades  to  put  an  end  to  their  sufferings 
by  thrusting  them  through  with  their w  swords, 
since  their  armor  prevented  suicide.  Ah !  well  do 
I  remember  the  fiendish  look  on  the  face  of  the 
on£  who  poured  the  burning  oil  upon  my  head, 
and  the  fearful  torments  which  seized  me  as  I  rolled 
into  the  breach,  and  was  carried  into  the  camp.'1 

Here  Rebekah  buried  her  face  in  her  hands  and 
burst  into  violent  weeping.  Her  vivid  imagination 
so  heightened  the  coloring  of  the  picture  that  Pris- 
cus's  pen  had  drawn  that  she  could  not  restrain  her 
tears.  When  her  sobs  ceased  she  cried,  "  O  why  do 
men  thirst  for  each  other's  blood  ?  Why  do  they 
rush  upon  each  other  like  the  beasts  that  perish  ? 
O  that  wars  would  cease,  and  peace  flow  like  a 
river ! " 

"  The  camp  was  on  a  small  hill  north  of  the  city," 
continued  the  letter-  "  Here  I  and  many  other  suf 
ferers  lay,  lingering  between  life  and  death,  until  the 


140  Eebekah. 

city  was  destroyed.  Our  army  was  both  humiliated 
and  enraged  by  the  cruel  stratagem  of  the  besieged  ; 
hence  when  the  city  was  taken  they  wreaked  their 
revenge  upon  a  great  multitude,  taking  only  twelve 
hundred  prisoners,  one  of  whom  being  Josephus,  the 
commander  of  their  forces." 

"  Ah,  then  Josephus  was  not  slain  in  the  city ;  but 
doubtless  met  a  worse  fate." 

— "  Thinking  that  thou  wouldst  like  to  know  what 
befell  so  brave  and  wise  a  commander,  I  shall  tell 
thee  all  I  know  of  him.  When  he  found  that  the 
city  was  taken,  he  leaped  into  a  deep  pit  leading  to  a 
secret  cave,  in  which  he  found  forty  men  of  high 
rank  concealed.  Three  days  after,  his  hiding-place 
was  discovered,  and  three  tribunes  were  sent  to  urge 
him  to  leave  the  cave  on  the  promise  of  security. 
This  lie  would  not  do  at  first,  but  afterwards  he 
consented  to  go  with  them.  Then  a  new  danger 
arose.  His  companions  becoming  enraged  at  his 
purpose  to  leave,  accused  him  of  treachery  and  cow 
ardice,  and  gathered  around  him  with  drawn  swords. 
Failing  to  persuade  them  that  it  was  better  to  trust 
the  leniency  of  the  Romans  than  to  take  their  own 
lives,  he  proposed  that  they  cast  lots,  and  that  they 
perish  by  each  other's  hand,  the  one  upon  whom  the 
lot  fell  first  to  be  slain  by  him  who  was  to  die  next. 
This  they  gladly  did,  hoping  that  Josephus  would 
meet  the  common  fate.  But  through  divine  inter 
position  Josephus  and  one  other  remained  to  the 
last,  who  instead  of  taking  each  other's  life  ac 
companied  the  tribunes  to  the  camp.  When  they 
arrived,  the  soldiers  gathered  around  them  in  great 
excitement,  some  rejoicing  that  Josephus  was  taken  ; 
others  reproaching  him  for  his  cruelty  ;  and  others  cry 
ing  to  have  him  crucified.  But  Titus  soon  ordered 
them  away ;  and  Josephus  finding  an  opportunity  to 
speak  privately  to  Vespasian,  greeted  him  as  Caesar, 
saying  that  God  had  revealed  to  him  that  he  and  his 
son  Titus  should  ere  long  sit  on  the  imperial  throne. 
Thinking  that  Josephus  said  this  from  a  false  motive, 


Evil  Tidings.  141 

Vespasian  at  first  disbelieved  his  words;  but  discov 
ering  afterwards  that  his  predictions  concerning  the 
fall  of  Jotapata  had  been  fulfilled,  he  both  believed 
him  and  treated  him  kindly.  The  day  after  his  capt 
ure  Josephus  accompanied  the  army  here,  and  in  a 
few  days  he  will  go  with  Vespasian  and  two  of  the 
legions  to  Csesarea.  My  illness  has  prevented  my 
seeing  him,  and  I  am  sorry  I  shall  not  see  him  soon, 
since  my  legion  and  the  tenth  are  to  go  to  Scythopolis 
to  spend  the  winter.  I  am  also  sorry  that  so  great 
a  general  should  have  been  led  to  rebel  against 
Caesar,  and  bring  such  a  calamity  upon  his  men  and 
such  misfortune  upon  himself." 

"  He  is  rather  to  be  pitied,  O  Priscus,  that  he  has 
permitted  himself  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  his  en 
emies,"  murmured  Rebekah.  "  It  were  better  in  the 
sight  of  his  people  that  he  were  dead  than  that  he 
be  a  prisoner  of  Rome." 

Finishing  the  letter  she  read, 

"Rome  never  had  a  general  that  acquitted  himself 
more  valiantly  than  he  did  during  the  siege.  Nor 
did  his  men  lack  courage.  Permit  me  to  mention 
one  instance.  Thou  rememberest  seeing  in  Rome, 
among  our  engines  of  war,  one  called  the  battering 
ram.  It  is  a  long,  heavy  beam  of  wood  with  an  iron 
head  shaped  like  that  of  a  ram,  suspended  by  the 
middle  from  another  beam  laid  on  two  posts.  It  is 
covered  with  a  screen  of  boards  to  protect  those  who 
work  it.  It  is  used  to  batter  walls,  and  is  worked  by 
a  great  number  of  men,  who  first  pull  it  backward 
and  then  thrust  it  forward  with  great  force.  On  the 
day  before  we  made  a  breach  in  the  wall  of  Jotapata, 
while  one  of  these  engines  was  at  work  on  a  bank  we 
had  made,  the  besieged  made  a  sally  upon  it  with 
fire,  and  while  they  retreated  a  bold  fellow  threw  a 
heavy  stone  from  the  wall  and  broke  off  the  ram's 
head.  Then  leaping  down  he  bore  it  off  to  the  top 
of  the  wall  amidst  a  shower  of  darts,  five  of  which 
pierced  his  body.  Standing  a  moment  in  full  view 
of  our  army,  he  threw  himself  upon  a  heap  of  rub- 


142  Rebekah. 

bish,  and  rolled  down  with  the  ram's  head,  while  a 
shout  of  admiration  rent  the  air.  An  army  of  such, 
as  he,  with  Roman  training  and  arms,  and  Josephus 
at  their  head,  would  be  an  army  of  which  the  Jews 
might  well  be  proud. 

"  Now,  dear  Rebekah,  I  must  close.  I  have  writ 
ten  a  much  longer  letter  to  thee  than  I  intended.  I 
hope  it  will  find  thee  and  thy  father  well.  God 
watch  between  me  and  thee.  Write  soon;  I  am 
longing  to  hear  from  thee. 

PRISCUS." 

"  P.  S. — I  hare  just  received  a  letter  from  home, 
which  is  the  bearer  of  evil  tidings,  and  I  can  scarcely 
see  through  my  tears  to  write  this  postscript.  Thy 
uncle,  O  Rebekah,  is  dead !  Ay,  the  noble,  brave, 
wise  Paul,  the  faithful  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  no  more !  The  Church  has  lost  a  strong 
pillar,  and  heaven  has  gained  a  glorious  trophy.  He  was 
beheaded  two  days  before  the  fall  of  Jotapata  by  order 
of  Csesar,  on  the  Ostian  Way,  three  miles  from  Rome. 
Perpetua,  a  godly  woman  meeting  him  on  the  way 
to  execution,  lent  him  a  handkerchief  with  which 
to  bind  his  eyes.  When  the  handkerchief  was  re 
turned  to  her,  a  sightless  eye  of  hers  was  restored  by 
its  touch.  This  miracle  led  to  the  conversion  of  the 
executioners,  and  they  also  died  for  Christ.  May  the 
Lord  comfort  thee  and  thy  father  in  your  sorrow. 

"  P." 

Rebekah  read  this  postscript  with  a  broken  heart ; 
so  did  her  father  when  he  came  home  that  evening. 
Both  felt  as  though  they  had  lost  a  part  of  their 
being. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  HOUSE  DIVIDED   AGAINST   ITSELF. 

DURING  the  weeks  that  followed  the  receipt  of  Pris- 
cus's  letter,  Rebekah  and  her  father  paid  less  attention 
to  the  course  of  public  events  than  to  the  deep  sense 


A  House  Divided  Against  Itself.  143 

of  loss  caused  by  the  martyrdom  of  Paul.  With  their 
kindred  in  the  other  part  of  the  house,  however,  it 
was  very  different.  Clinging  as  they  did  to  the  Jew 
ish  religion,  they  looked  with  favor  upon  everything 
that  tended  to  arrest  the  progress  of  Christianity, 
but  deplored  whatever  threatened  the  Mosaic  system. 
We  must  not  think,  however,  that  they  were  charac 
terized  with  unity  of  feeling  and  opinion  as  regards 
the  state  of  public  affairs.  Judas  the  son  of  Merto 
was  a  zealot,  and  believed  in  fanning  the  flame  of  re 
bellion  into  madness.  In  this  belief  he  had  the  hearty 
sympathy  of  his  mother,  who  made  him  her  idol,  and 
his  whims  and  jealousies  her  creed.  Merto,  on  the 
other  hand,  belonged  to  the  more  moderate  faction  of 
the  people,  and  being  a  wise  and  righteous  man  as 
well  as  a  faithful  priest,  he  saw  that  to  encourage  the 
revolt  meant  the  speedy  destruction  of  the  Temple  as 
well  as  the  Holy  City.  Where  such  diversity  of 
thought  and  interests  existed,  it  was  impossible  to 
avoid  frequent  discussions  and  wrangles. 

One  of  these  wrangles  occurred  one  evening  late 
in  October,  after  Merto 's  return  from  his  daily  duties 
in  the  Temple.  Owing  to  the  increased  labors  of  the 
day,  he  was  more  tired  than  usual,  and  felt  rather 
moody.  As  he  reclined  in  his  priestly  robe  on  the 
divan  that  had  been  occupied  by  his  son  during  his 
convalescence,  he  nervously  stroked  his  beard  and 
knit  his  brow,  as  though  he  were  striving  to  get  rid 
of  a  disagreeable  thought.  Presently  Martha,  his 
wife,  entered  the  room,  and,  observing  these  indica 
tions  of  ill-humor,  she  kindly  inquired  the  cause. 

"  I  am  weary,  and  need  rest,"  was  Merto's  laconic 
reply,  as  he  rose  to  a  sitting  posture. 

"Artthou  not  also  vexed?"  his  wife  continued. 
"  Hast  tliou  heard  aught  to  displease  thee  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  have  heard  naught  to-day  that  yesterday  did  not 
reveal.  The  land  is  filled  with  violence ;  the  inno 
cent  perishes  with  the  guilty." 

"  Will  the  eagle,  devour  the  Mon's  whelp  and  spare, 
the  lamb  ?" 


144  Rebekah. 

"I  spoke  not  of  Rome,  but  of  Israel.  Who  are  we 
that  we  should  defy  the  mistress  of  the  world  ?  We 
have  been  oppressed;  but  will  our  yoke  depart  if  we 
kick  against  the  pricks  ?  The  fall  of  Jotapata  re 
vealed  our  weakness  and  the  enemy's  strength.  Yet 
the  seditious,  instead  of  profiting  by  the  fate  of  their 
brethren,  provoked  Vespasian  into  other  deeds  of 
blood,  and  turned  his  wrath  against  the  peaceful  as 
well  as  the  rebellious.  Repairing  Joppa,  they  turned 
it  into  a  den  of  thieves,  and  casting  aside  God's  holy 
law,  they  became  a  terror  to  the  ships  of  the  sea. 
Then,  when  they  heard  the  sound  of  hostile  feet, 
they  sought  refuge  in  their  ships.  They  escaped  the 
legions  of  Rome  to  perish  in  the  deep.  God  sent  a 
storm  to  accomplish  what  the  sword  was  unable  to  do. 
Four  thousand  and  two  hundred  were  swallowed  by 
the  sea  and  washed  lifeless  upon  the  shores.  We 
heard  of  this  calamity  and  said,  4  Surely  the  people 
will  now  listen  to  the  voice  of  wisdom.'  But  our 
hope  vanished  like  a  shadow.  The  spirit  of  rebel 
lion  again  appeared  in  the  land.  Driven  out  of 
Tiberias,  it  sought  refuge  in  Tarichese ;  but  in  vain. 
Oppression  is  wrong ;  God  loves  it  not.  Rebellion  also 
is  not  right,  and  rebels  cannot  succeed.  Hence,  six 
thousand  of  the  seditious  were  slain,  most  of  them 
on  the  sea,  whose  waters  became  red  with  blood,  and 
whose  shores  were  infested  with  carcasses.  The  in 
nocent  also  were  punished  for  their  sakes.  Two  thou 
sand  and  two  hundred  of  the  aged  and  the  youth 
perished  in  the  Gymnasium;  six  thousand  of  the 
strongest  young  men  were  sent  to  Nero  to  dig  through 
the  Isthmus  of  Corinth;  and  thirty  thousand  and  four 
hundred  men,  women,  and  children  were  sold  into 
slavery.  Still  the  spirit  of  rebellion  lives ;  Gamala 
has  listened  to  its  voice,  and  Jerusalem  wooes  its 
shadowy  form.  It  allures  the  nation  to  its  destruc 
tion.  O  that  the  people  were  wise  !  O  that  they 
would  cease  their  violence  while  God's  anger  is  kin 
dled  but  a  little  ! " 

While  Merto  spoke  these  words  his  eyes  were  fixed 


A  House  Divided  Aainst  Itself.  145 

on  his  wife,  and  his  whole  frame  trembled  with  ex 
citement.  Martha  returned  his  gaze  with  flashing 
eyes  and  flushed  cheeks,  and  tried  to  interrupt  him 
several  times.  When  at  last  he  came  to  a  pause,  she 
said,  with  great  vehemence  : 

"  Art  thou  a  Jew?  Art  thou  a  priest  of  the  Most 
High  God?  Art  thou  my  husband?  Nay,  my  eyes 
deceive  me  ;  thou  art  a  Roman  with  a  Jewish  face. 
Thou  art  a  base  traitor  like  Josephus,  that  son  of  Be 
lial,  who  prefers  the  favors  of  Rome  to  the  honors  of 
his  nation.  Thou  wouldst  have  us  creep  like  four- 
footed  beasts  and  lick  the  dust  from  the  feet  of  our 
oppressors.  Thou  wouldst  have  us  give  our  enemy 
the  fatness  of  the  land,  and  exchange  gold  for  brass 
and  silver  for  iron.  How  darest  thou  to  wear  those 
sacred  garments  ?  Exchange  thy  robe  for  a  tunic  and 
a  coat  of  mail,  and  thy  bonnet  for  a  helmet,  and  seek 
the  legions  of  Rome.  As  for  me  and  my  son,  we  will 
fight  the  battle  of  the  Lord,  and  defend  the  rights  of 
the  oppressed." 

"  The  Lord  fights  his  own  battle,  and  he  fights 
against  Israel.  Hast  thou  forgotten  the  evil  omens 
that  have  appeared  at  Jerusalem  ?  Canst  thou  not 
see  that  neither  wall  nor  tower,  mountain  nor  sea, 
saves  the  rebellious  from  destruction  ?  Thou  callest 
me  a  traitor  !  Dost  thou  hate  Rome  ?  So  do  I.  Dost 
thou  love  the  Israel  of  God?  I,  more  !  Do  the  waves 
of  the  sea  gain  freedom  by  beating  themselves  against 
the  rocks  ?  No  more  can  ye,  O  daughter  of  Eleazar, 
by  fighting  against  Rome.  Ye  are  mad  as  the  waves, 
and  your  madness  leads  to  self-destruction.  Ye,  then, 
who  fill  the  land  with  ashes  and  blood  are  the  traitors 
of  our  people.  Ye  both  rob  the  nation  of  its  strength 
and  stir  up  the  wrath  of  our  enemies." 

"  O  the  depth  of  thy  knowledge  !  Thy  discretion 
is  too  wonderful  forme  !  Surely  wisdom  will  die  with 
thee  I  Had  we  been  wise,  we  would  have  called  in 
sult  praise  ;  and  oppression  succor.  We  would  have 
thrown  open  the  doors  of  the  Temple  of  Jehovah  to 
the  gods  of  Rome,  and  have  deserted  the  traditions 


146  Rebekah. 

of  the  fathers  for  the  ways  of  the  heathen.  But  be 
cause  we  lack  understanding,  we  have  expelled  the 
oppressor  from  the  Holy  City,  have  strengthened  our 
cities  and  towers,  and  have  consecrated  the  flower  of 
the  nation  to  the  defense  of  our  country  and  our  re 
ligion.  Because  we  are  not  wise,  a  deserter  betrayed 
Jotapata;  a  storm  destroyed  thousands  on  the  sea 
before  Joppa ;  and  Vespasian  slaughtered  a  great 
multitude  of  innocent,  helpless  victims  after  he  had 
given  them  assurances  of  their  lives.  Because  wis 
dom  does  not  dwell  with  us " 

"  Not  so  fast,  mother,  wisdom  does  dwell  with  us  ; 
so  do  patriotism  and  courage.  Whoever  dares  to 
question  this  loves  not  the  truth.  But  if  report  bo 
true  we  need  patience  also.  I  am  the  bearer  of  evil 
tidings." 

It  was  Judas  who  thus  spoke.  His  sudden  appear 
ance  in  the  room  had  prevented  Martha  from  finish 
ing  her  sentence.  Since  the  commencement  of  the 
war  it  was  nothing  unusual  for  him  to  find  his  mother 
in  an  excited  state  ;  hence  he  took  matters  as  they 
stood,  contenting  himself  with  simply  divining  the 
cause  of  her  excitement.  His  allusion  to  his  being 
the  bearer  of  evil  tidings  awakened  his  mother's 
curiosity  ;  therefore  turning  to  him  she  eagerly  asked, 

"  Are  the  uncircumcised  Philistines  again  victo 
rious?  Has  Gamala  been  taken?  Speak,  my  son,  for 
thou  hast  at  least  one  eager  listener." 

"  Thou  hast  truly  said,  O  mother.  Thy  country 
never  speaks  to  thee  in  vain.  Thou  art  a  true 
daughter  of  our  father  Abraham.  When  Israel  pros 
pers,  thy  soul  rejoices ;  when  Jacob  is  afflicted,  thine 
heart  is  filled  with  the  bitterness  of  sorrow.  May 
thy  name  be  as  the  name  of  Jael  the  wife  of  Heber 
the  Kenite,  and  thy  memory  as  the  memory  of  Debo 
rah,  the  prophetess." 

"  I  asked  not  for  praise,  Judas,  but  for  tidings  ;  let 
me  hear  the  news." 

"Thou  shalt  have  thy  desire.  Would  to  God  I 
had  better  tidings  to  bring  thee  !  Gamala,  the  strong, 


A.  House  Divided  Against  Itself:  147 

beautiful,  proud  Gamala,  that  boasted  of  the  strength 
of  its  walls  and  the  height  of  its  towers,  has  been 
taken,  and  all  its  inhabitants  except  two  women  have 
perished." 

"  Holy  father  Abraham  !  all  but  two  dead  !  But 
surely  they  did  not  die  as  cowards.  No,  no ;  true 
Israelites  cannot  die  as  cowards." 

"  Again  thy  words  are  true.  The  cursed  dogs  of 
Rome  will  not  forget  their  valor  soon ;  for  when  they 
rushed  into  the  city  through  the  breaches  they  had 
made,  our  countrymen  fell  upon  them  like  a  whirl 
wind,  and  overcame  them  like  a  flood.  Many  per 
ished  in  the  narrow  places.  The  low  houses  on  the 
acclivity  falling  upon  each  other,  crushed  and  smoth 
ered  a  great  multitude  that  had  sought  refuge  in 
them.  So  great  was  their  discomfiture,  ha,  ha,  that 
they  left  Vespasian  with  only  a  few  soldiers  in  the 
midst  of  the  greatest  dangers,  and  it  was  with  diffi 
culty  that  he  joined  his  army  without  the  wall." 

"  Would  that  the  son  of  Belial  and  his  whole  army 
had  perished  !  " 

"  This  sudden  defeat  greatly  discouraged  the  enemy, 
so  that  they  did  not  immediately  attack  the  city 
again.  The  besieged  also  became  both  discouraged 
and  afraid  when  they  saw  the  danger  they  were  in, 
and  many  escaped  from  the  city  through  unguarded 
places  and  caverns." 

"Didst  thou  not  say  that  only  two  escaped ? " 

"  Ay,  only  two  when  the  last  attack  was  made. 
Many  of  those  who  remained  in  the  city  died  of 
famine  ;  but  the  strongest  of  them  still  guarded  the 
breaches,  until  the  falling  of  a  high  tower,  which  had 
been  undermined  by  the  enemy,  caused  them  to  be 
seized  with  great  terror  three  days  ago.  Then  a  great 
slaughter  began.  The  uncircumcised  dogs,  remem 
bering  their  former  ill-success,  spared  neither  old  nor 
young,  but  rushing  with  great  rage  into  the  city,  they 
filled  the  streets  with  carcasses  and  blood.  Even  the 
citadel  could  not  save  our  countrymen,  for  the  enemy 
was  aided  by  a  terrible  storm.  Nine  thousand  Jiave 


148  Rebekah. 

perished — hear  ye  Heavens  and  Angels  of  light ! — five 
thousand  by  casting  themselves  down  over  the  preci 
pices,  and  four  thousand  by  the  enemy's  sword  and 
by  famine  ! " 

When  Merto  heard  how  many  had  perished  he 
groaned  and  wept  bitterly.  Martha,  however,  flew 
into  a  fearful  passion  and  joined  her  son  in  heaping 
curses  upon  the  Romans,  and  in  denouncing  the 
Jewish  faction  that  desired  peace  as  cowardly.  Then 
remembering  that  Judas  had  made  no  reference  to 
those  who  had  sought  refuge  on  Mount  Tabor,  she  said 
with  a  triumphant  air, 

"  Would  that  all  the  cities  and  villages  of  Israel 
were  as  Mount  Tabor,  whose  foundation  God  has  laid, 
and  whose  brow  is  as  Mount  Zion." 

"  Then  thou  wouldst  have  all  our  cities  and  villages 
destroyed  and  their  inhabitants  put  to  the  sword  or 
sold  into  bondage,  for  Mount  Tabor  is  also  taken,  a 
great  number  of  those  that  had  fled  to  it  have  been 
cut  to  pieces,  and  the  remnant  have  sought  refuge  in 
the  Holy  City.  Gischala  alone  remains  untaken 
besides  Jerusalem.  But  we  must  not  let  our  hearts 
grow  faint.  The  City  of  the  Great  King  shall  never 
be  taken.  The  Lord  only  tries  us  as  of  old.  We  are 
the  seed  of  Abraham,  and  must  overcome  at  the  last, 
for  the  Lord  says  by  the  mouth  of  his  holy  prophet 
Micah,  '  and  the  remnant  of  Jacob  shall  be  among  the 
Gentiles  in  the  midst  of  many  people  as  a  lion  among 
the  beasts  of  the  forest,  as  a  young  lion  among  the 
flocks  of  sheep ;  who,  if  he  go  through,  both  treadeth 
down  and  teareth  in  pieces,  and  none  can  deliver. 
Thine  hand  shall  be  lifted  upon  thine  adversaries, 
and  all  thine  enemies  shall  be  cut  off.'  Hearest  thou 
that,  mother  ?  Be  of  good  cheer,  the  Lord  will  ful 
fill  his  promise." 

Martha's  countenance  lighted  up  for  a  moment  as 
she  listened  to  these  closing  words.  Merto,  however, 
instead  of  deriving  comfort  from  them,  shook  his 
head  and  sighed,  knowing  that  dispersion  and  not 
national  triumph  was  meant. 


A  Wolf  in  Sheep's   Clothing.  149 


CHAPTER  XXL 

A  WOLF  IN  SHEEP'S  CLOTHING. 

THE  usual  hour  for  retiring  found  Merto  and  his 
family  in  no  amiable  mood  that  evening  ;  nor  did  the 
days  and  weeks  that  followed  improve  the  condition 
of  things.  The  same  was  true  also  of  many  other 
families.  After  the  fall  of  Gischala,  which  quickly 
followed  that  of  Gamala,  Merto,  like  all  others  who 
belonged  to  the  moderate  faction,  viewed  with  much 
displeasure  and  apprehension  the  arrival  of  so  many 
fanatics  in  the  Holy  City,  knowing  that  they  would 
greatly  add  to  the  strength  of  the  seditious,  and  in 
crease  the  sufferings  of  the  lovers  of  peace.  Much 
to  his  discomfort  also,  he  learned  that  the  Roman 
legions  were  going  into  winter  quarters,  for  he  knew 
too  well  that  this  circumstance  would  afford  ample 
opportunity  for  the  seditious  elements  now  in  the  city 
to  grow  and  spread.  Time  proved  the  accuracy  of 
his  foresight. 

He  was  going  home  after  the  usual  morning  sacri 
fice  about  the  time  of  the  full  moon,  when,  happening 
to  meet  another  priest  in  front  of  Herod's  palace,  near 
the  western  end  of  the  bridge  leading  to  the  Temple, 
he  entered  into  a  lively  discussion  upon  the  state  of 
affairs.  Gradually  the  two  became  the  center  of  a 
large  group. 

"  I  like  not  this  John,"  said  Merto,  speaking  excit 
edly  ;  "  I  like  not  this  John  of  whom  ye  speak  so 
highly.  He  is  a  base  dissembler,  a  vain  dreamer,  a 
crafty  rascal,  and  a  vile  traitor." 

"  Dost  thou  not  speak  from  envy  rather  than  from 
knowledge  ?  "  asked  one  of  the  group. 

"  I  speak  that  which  I  know,"  was  the  quick  reply. 
"  Thine  hero's  words  are  greater  than  his  deeds,  O  son 
of  Sirach.  Knowest  thou  why  he  and  his  followers 
deserted  Gischala  for  Jerusalem  ?  " 

"  Because  here  they  can  with  less  hazard  fight  our 
common  enemy." 


150  RebeJcah. 

;t  Ha,  ha,  I  perceive  that  thou  also  hast  swallowed 
the  dissembler's  bait.  Say  rather  that  these  cowards 
fled  hither,  because  they  feared  those  against  whom 
they  had  caused  Gischala  to  rise  in  rebellion,  and 
that  they  might  also  infect  the  Holy  City  with  the 
spirit  of  discord.  The  heathen  Titus  is  far  more 
honorable  and  worthy  of  trust  than  the  son  of  Levi. 
He  honored  our  law  in  that  he  did  not  take  the  city 
on  the  Sabbath ;  but  waited  until  the  first  day  of  the 
week  according  to  John's  request.  But  John  instead 
of  giving  up  the  city  as  he  had  promised,  took  advan 
tage  of  the  Roman's  courtesy  and  violated  the  very 
law  which  the  heathen  respected." 

This  information  had  been  imparted  to  Merto  by 
Rebekah,  and  the  listeners  received  it  with  a  murmur 
of  disapproval.  Continuing  the  speaker  said, 

"  But  this  is  not  the  only  law  this  base  deceiver 
has  dishonored.  Has  he  not  filled  the  city  with  deeds 
of  violence  ?  Think  ye  that  the  robbers  who  plunder 
our  goods  and  murder  our  friends  act  without  his 
knowledge?  Who  caused  Antipas,  and  Levias,  and 
Sophas  the  son  of  Raguel,  and  many  others  of  the 
chief  men  of  Israel  to  be  foully  murdered  in  prison  ? 
Who  has  inflamed  our  young  men  with  his  harangues, 
and  has  caused  them  to  make  the  Temple  of  God  a 
refuge  for  evil-doers  and  a  scene  of  tyranny?  And 
who  has  caused  an  ignorant  rustic  to  be  thrust  into 
the  sacred  office  of  Aaron?  It  is  John  of  Gischala, 
the  enemy  of  the  priesthood,  the  hater  of  God." 

"  Talk  not  so  loud,  friend  Merto,  if  thou  wouldst 
not  have  Satan  hearthee,  for  he  even  now  approaches 
from  the  Tyropceon  with  Ananus,  the  High  Priest." 

It  was  the  other  priest  who  'thus  spoke,  and  his 
timely  warning  caused  all  eyes  to  turn  towards  the 
High  Priest  and  John,  while  Merto  frowned  and  mut 
tered  to  himself, 

"Hike  not  that  friendship.  The  wolf  though  in 
sheep's  clothing  is  still  a  wolf,  and  mingles  with  the 
sheep  only  that  he  may  the  more  easily  devour 
them." 


A  Wolf  in  Sheep's  Clothing.  151 

The  persons  who  thus  attracted  the  attention  of  the 

Coup  were  widely  different  in  their  appearance. 
>hn  was  above  the  medium  height,  and  wore  the 
costume  of  the  higher  class.  He  had  sharp,  sinister 
eyes ;  a  long,  crooked  nose,  the  tip  of  which  reached 
down  almost  to  his  mouth ;  and  prominent  lips,  the 
lower  of  which  projected  a  little  more  than  the  upper. 
Ananus,  on  the  other  hand,  was  both  smaller  and 
older  than  John.  His  face  was  decidedly  Jewish,  of 
a  dignified,  benevolent  cast,  and  covered  for  the  most 
part  with  a  thick,  white  beard  which  reached  down  to 
his  chest.  His  robe  was  all  of  blue,  trimmed  around 
the  skirt  with  pomegranates  of  blue,  red,  and  crimson, 
with  a  bell  of  gold  between  each  pomegranate.  Up 
on  the  ephod  which  covered  his  back  and  front  was 
the  breast-plate,  fastened  by  chains  and  ribbons ;  and 
upon  his  head  he  wore  the  mitre,  upon  the  front  of 
which  was  a  plate  of  gold  engraved  with  "  Holiness  to 
the  Lord." 

The  manner  in  which  Ananus  and  John  returned 
the  salutations  of  the  group  they  passed  also  dis 
played  a  contrast  no  less  remarkable  than  that  already 
described.  Ananus's  manner  was  both  natural  and 
dignified  ;  that  of  John,  affected  and  hypocritical. 
Neither,  however,  paid  much  attention  to  Merto  and 
his  friends,  but  resumed  as  soon  as  they  were  out  of 
earshot  the  conversation  which  they  had  thought  fit 
to  suspend.  They  spoke  in  subdued  tones,  and  as 
they  entered  the  royal  grounds  which  surrounded  that 
grand,  indescribable  pile  which  rose  in  majestic  beauty 
before  them,  and  walked  slowly  through  a  beautiful 
avenue  lined  with  tall  shady  trees  and  large,  elegant 
statues,  John  said, 

"  Thou  hast  truly  said,  O  Ananus ;  the  Temple  of 
God  has  been  made  a  stronghold  by  blood-shedding 
villains,  and  the  High-Priesthood  has  been  dishonored 
by  thrusting  into  it  a  low,  ignorant  rustic  whose  fit 
ness  for  raising  calves  is  far  greater  than  his  knowl 
edge  of  the  duties  of  the  sacred  office.  The  mean 
rascals  who  have  thus  desecrated  the  House  of  God 


152  RelekaK. 

and  insulted  the  priests  of  Jehovah  should  be  speedily 
punished." 

"  Even  the  Romans  would  not  be  guilty  of  so  great 
a  sacrilege  as  has  been  committed  by  those  who  claim 
the  name  of  Jews,"  said  Ananus  indignantly.  "  Oft 
have  I  seen  our  oppressors  filled  with  awe  while 
viewing  at  a  distance  the  walls  of  the  Holy  Place ; 
but  never  have  I  seen  any  of  them  transcend  the 
bounds  set  for  the  profane ;  or  violating  our  sacred 
customs.  Shall  we  then  suffer  Jews  to  be  guilty  of 
what  even  Romans  abstain  from  ?  " 

"  Nay ;  for  then  would  we  be  worse  than  the  Ro 
mans  and  equal  to  the  base  knaves  who  call  them 
selves  Jews.  Punish  them  !  Deal  with  them  as  they 
have  dealt  with  others.  'Crush  them  under  the  iron 
heel  of  the  law  !  " 

"Ay,  ay  ;  but  how?  Have  not  the  people  encour 
aged  them  in  their  wickedness  by  refusing  to  restrain 
them?  Have  they  not  permitted  them  to  rob  and 
murder  our  princes  and  men  of  power  ?  And  do  they 
not  even  now  shrink  in  terror  from  them  ?  " 

None  knew  this  better  than  John,  for  by  his  crafty 
ways  he  constantly  kept  himself  and  his  followers 
well  informed  of  whatever  transpired  in  the  city. 
Pretending  that  he  was  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the 
High  Priest,  he  replied, 

"  What  thou  sayest  is  true ;  and  yet,  if  thou  but 
exercise  a  little  of  the  discretion  which  is  so  abun 
dantly  at  thy  command,  thou  canst  easily  stir  them 
into  action.  Some  thou  canst  arouse  with  reproach ; 
others  with  flattery ;  and  others  with  the  promise  of 
reward." 

A  slight  pause  followed  this  remark ;  then  Ananus 
said, 

"  Thy  suggestion,  O  son  of  Levi,  is  a  good  one ;  the 
people  shall  be  summoned  together  this  afternoon. 
Meanwhile,  I  shall  give  due  consideration  to  a  scheme 
that  even  now  has  suggested  itself  to  me." 

"Ha,  ha,  now  thou  talkest  like  a  leader  of  the 
people.  The  sooner  the  Temple  be  rid  of  its  infamous 


A  Wolf  in  Sheep's  Clothing.  153 

intruders  the  better.  Can  I  do  aught  to  aid  thee  in 
the  perfection  of  thy  scheme?  Thou  knowest  the 
words  of  Solomon  the  Wise,  "  By  wise  counsel  thou 
shalt  make  thy  war ;  and  in  multitude  of  counselors 
there  is  safety." 

"  King  Solomon  is  right,  providing  the  counselors 
be  reliable." 

"  Surely  thou  dost  not  question  my  loyalty  !  " 

"  I  speak  not  of  thy  loyalty ;  but  I  bethought  me 
that  in  a  multitude  of  counselors  there  might  at  least 
be  some  whose  sincerity  might  well  be  questioned. 
Foes  sometimes  wear  the  garb  of  friendship." 

"  Hadst  thou,  0  most  noble  of  the  High  Priests, 
lived  in  the  time  of  Solomon,  even  he  would  have 
found  a  fit  counselor  in  thee ;  for  even  now  thou  hast 
given  proof  of  thy  wisdom.  Thou  hast  rightly  spoken 
of  some  who  at  this  instant  play  the  part  of  knaves. 
But,  thy  pardon,  this  is  not  listening  to  thy  scheme." 

"  Despite  thy  high  opinion  of  my  wisdom,  I  fear 
that  my  scheme  is  hardly  worth  a  passing  thought. 
However,  since  the  public  welfare  is  so  dear  to  thy 
heart  I  will  submit  it  to  thy  judgment.  Thou  know 
est  that  the  Holy  Place  which  we  call  Temple  is  also 
a  citadel,  and  that  a  small  force  within  its  walls  may 
laugh  to  scorn  a  multitude  without.  Thou  knowest 
also  that  the  zealots  are  both  well-trained  and  well- 
armed,  while  the  people  generally  are  not  prepared 
for  battle.  Therefore,  access  to  the  Temple  must  be 
had  by  stratagem.  What  thinkest  thou  of  announc 
ing  a  fast  for  to-morrow,  that  we  might  gain  admit 
tance  into  the  Sacred  Place  by  a  religious  pretence  ?  " 

"Ha,  ha,  a  grand  idea!  Nothing  could  so  well 
succeed.  Strange  I  did  not  think  of  that;  yet  it  is 
not  strange,  seeing  that  thou  art  far  superior  to  me 
in  wisdom." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  a  large  portico  with 
curiously  wrought  columns  in  front  of  the  palace, 
which  led  to  a  long  passage  with  beautifully  colored 
walls  and  a  highly  ornamented  floor.  This  they  fol 
lowed  until  they  came  to  an  elegant  assembly  room, 


154  ,     Rebekah. 

where  they  found  a  large  number  of  the  leading  cit 
izens  awaiting  their  arrival.  As  they  entered  the 
room,  several  of  the  men  cast  suspicious  glances  at 
John,  and  a  few  minutes  later  he  was  forced  to  give 
them  the  assurance  of  his  fidelity  by  taking  an  oath. 
Then  they  proceeded  to  consider  the  question  which 
had  brought  them  together,  and  after  a  long  discus 
sion  in  which  John  took  a  prominent  part,  it  was 
decided  that  the  latter  be  authorized  to  propose 
peaceable  terms  to  the  zealots — as  the  seditious  were 
now  called — on  condition  of  the  immediate  surrender 
of  the  Temple,  and  that  in  case  they  should  refuse, 
the  suggestions  of  Ananus  be  at  once  put  into  action. 
Nothing  further  to  be  now  considered  the  assembly 
was  dismissed,  and  John  hastening  across  the  bridge, 
was  admitted  into  the  temple.  Reaching  the  inner 
court  he  found  himself  surrounded  by  the  zealots, 
who  were  anxious  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say  to  them. 
Instead  of  delivering  the  message  given  him,  how 
ever,  he  addressed  them  as  follows : — 

"  Men  and  Brethren,  ye  are  not  ignorant  of  the 
many  hazards  I  have  run  on  your  account,  especially 
in  seeking  the  information  ye  so  much  desire  con 
cerning  the  plots  which  Ananus  and  his  party  secretly 
contrive  against  you.  At  last  matters  have  come  to 
such  a  pass  that  both  your  lives  and  mine  are  in  the 
most  imminent  danger.  We  are  doomed  unless  the 
God  of  our  fathers  send  us  a  timely  relief.  Ananus 
has  sent  ambassadors  to  Vespasian  to  invite  him  to 
come  and  take  the  Holy  City.  Even  now  these  cow 
ards  pour  their  supplications  into  the  ears  of  our 
enemy.  They  say  our  walls  are  but  heaps  of  dust, 
and  our  towers  but  mere  ash-piles,  since  our  gates  are 
open  to  receive  the  legions  of  Rome.  Lift  up  your 
eyes  and  behold  these  sacred  walls ;  mark  Avell  the 
bulwarks  of  Zion  and  the  gloiy  and  strength  of  Jeru 
salem  ;  then  ask  your  hearts  if  Roman  eyes  shall  feast 
on  them,  and  Roman  tongues  boast  of  their  posses 
sion.  But  there  is  another  danger  nearer  and  greater 
than  this.  A  fast  has  been  appointed  for  to-morrow, 


A  Wolf  in  Sheep's  Clothing.  155 

that  Ananus  and  his  party  may  obtain  admission 
into  these  sacred  courts  by  religious  pretense  and  gain 
possession  of  your  stronghold  by  force.  Now,  whether 
this  stratagem  shall  succeed  it  is  for  you  to  decide,  or 
ho\v  long  ye  can  endure  a  siege,  or  resist  the  attacks 
of  so  many  enemies  it  is  for  ye  to  judge.  I  am  per 
suaded  that  God  wills  that  you  shall  succeed,  seeing 
that  I  and  not  one  of  your  enemies  was  chosen  to 
come  to  you  with  offers  of  accommodation — which  I 
shall  never  urge  you  to  accept.  Ye  now  know  what  ye 
are  to  expect.  Hence,  what  action  will  ye  take  ? 
Will  ye  intercede  with  these  your  enemies  to  save 
your  lives,  or  will  ye  seek  some  foreign  assistance  ? 
If  any  of  you  hope  for  pardon  in  case  of  defeat,  call 
to  your  mind  what  ye  have  done.  Where  are  the 
princes  and  other  men  of  influence  whom  ye  arrested  ? 
How  many  houses  have  ye  broken  into  and  robbed  ? 
Do  ye  think  that  the  people  have  forgotten  these 
murders  and  depredations  ?  Will  they  pay  good  for 
evil  ?  It  is  far  better  to  die  defending  yourselves 
than  to  be  put  to  death  by  your  enemies.  Therefore 
prepare  for  battle  and  fight  like  men." 

The  zealots  were  greatly  excited  by  this  speech, 
and  a  few  of  the  leaders,  among  whom  was  Judas  the 
son  of  Merto,  followed  John  into  one  of  the  cham 
bers  of  the  Temple,  where  they  held  a  private  con 
sultation.  Then  John  went  to  inform  Ananus  that 
his  proposals  had  been  rejected  ;  and  when  a  public 
meeting  was  called  that  afternoon,  he  was  among 
those  who  assembled  in  the  Xystus. 

On  the  next  day  a  severe  conflict  ensued  between 
Ananus's  party  and  the  zealots,  and  after  a  great 
slaughter,  the  latter  retired  into  the  inner  court  of  the 
Temple,  while  the  former  took  possession  of  the  court 
of  the  Gentiles. 


156  Rebekah. 

CHAPTER  XXL 

A~K  UNEXPECTED  VISIT. 

WHILE  this  condition  of  things  existed  at  Jerusa 
lem,  Priscus,  whose  company,  together  with  the  cohort 
to  which  it  belonged,  guarded  one  of  the  passes  lying 
between  Emmaus  and  the  Holy  City,  looked  on  with 
more  than  ordinary  interest. 

"  Well,  what  hast  thou  learned  to-day,  my  Marcus?  " 
said  he,  as  the  decurion  returned  after  escorting  a 
band  of  deserters  to  the  camp  of  the  fifth  legion  jit 
Emmaus. 

44  That  our  general  is  far  wiser  than  I  thought  he 
was,"  replied  Marcus. 

"  That  certainly  is  a  great  discovery.  What  led 
thee  to  it  ?  " 

44  Before  answering  thy  question,  let  me  ask  thee  if 
thou  hast  ever  heard  the  witch's  philosophical  triad?  " 

44 1  can  tell  thee  better  after  I  hear  it." 

44  Listen  then  :  4  Three  things  fools  do :  picking 
fruit  from  the  trees,  seeking  the  maidens,  and  com 
mitting  suicide.  If  they  waited  long  enough,  the 
fruit  would  drop  from  the  trees,  maidens  would  seek 
the  youths,  and  death  would  put  an  end  to  the  most 
miserable  life." 

44  What  has  this  to  do  with  the  wisdom  of  our  gen 
eral?" 

44  Perpol !  has  he  not  considered  idleness  the  better 
policy  on  our  part  since  the  Jewish  dogs  devour  each 
other  by  the  thousands  ?  " 

Here  Priscus  walked  away  with  Caius  the  surgeon, 
laughing  at  the  decurion 's  remark. 

44  Even  June  with  all  its  charms  can  bring  no 
beauty  to  these  rugged  and  barren  hills,"  said  Caius 
with  contempt  as  they  reached  a  hilltop. 

44  Nor  to  the  character  of  the  hateful  people  whose 
traits  they  portray,"  said  Priscus. 

4<  Ha,  ha,  truly  spoken,  by  Castor ;  but  dost  thou 


An  Unexpected  Visit.  157 

make  no  exceptions  ?  "  continued  Caius  with  a  roguish 
side-glance  at  the  centurion. 

"  I  speak  not  of  exceptions,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

"  Nay,  by  Jupiter,  thou  wouldst  far  rather  speak  to 
them.  Canst  thou  not  find  some  old  witch,  my  Pris- 
cus,  who  will  lend  thee  the  nose  and  tongue  of  a  Jew 
that  thou  mightest  with  safety  pluck  the  rose  that 
longs  for  the  sunshine  of  thy  soul  in  the  bosom  of 
Jerusalem  ?  " 

"  Thou  wilt  need  both  a  nose  and  a  tongue  soon  un 
less  thou  hold  thy  peace.  But  look  !  Here  comes  a 
messenger. — What  is  it,  Ancus  ?  " 

"  A  Jewish  vagrant  has  just  been  caught  within  our 
lines,  sir ;  and  Marcus  the  decurion  wishes  to  know 
your  pleasure  concerning  him,"  replied  the  mes 
senger. 

"  Let  him  be  sent  to  keep  company  with  those 
sneaking  clogs  already  in  the  camp." 

"  But  he  wants  to  see  you,  sir ;  he  says  he  is  inti 
mately  acquainted  with  you." 

"  Ha,  ha,  by  Hercules ;  he  must  be  one  of  the  ex 
ceptions  of  which  thou  wilt  not  speak,"  said  Caius, 
greatly  amused. 

Although  the  laugh  was  at  his  own  expense,  Pris- 
cus  heartily  joined  in  the  merriment  of  his  friend ; 
then  he  remarked, 

"  I  will  see  this  Jewish  vagrant,  and  if  he  be  not 
other  than  he  seems,  he  shall  pay  for  his  audacity  and 
his  lie." 

The  distance  to  the  spot  where  the  prisoner  stood 
was  short,  but  he  was  so  hemmed  in  by  the  guards, 
who  seemed  more  eager  for  news  than  for  his  com 
fort,  that  Prisons  did  not  see  him  until  he  was  close 
upon  him.  Then  failing  to  recognize  the  Jew,  he  de 
manded  why  he  had  sent  for  him. 

"  Dost  thou  not  know  me,  noble  Priscus  ?  "  asked  a 
familiar  voice  in  an  injured  tone. 

"  What !  thou  art  not — ay,  thou  art  my  friend 
Herodion.  Thy  pardon,  friend ;  I  did  not  recognize 
thee.  I  am  very  glad  to  see  thee  again." 


158  Relekah. 

"  Ah  !  I  forgot  the  changes  time  and  circumstances 
have  wrought  in  me  since  last  we  met.  This  peasant 
dress  seems  strange  to  thee,  no  doubt.  But  in  these 
troublous  times  safety  often  courts  the  aid  of  discre 
tion.  The  country  is  infested  with  the  Sicarii,  whom 
the  godly  and  the  peaceful  fear  far  more  than  the 
legions  of  Rome.  Their  mouth  is  full  of  cursing  and 
bitterness ;  their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood  ;  de 
struction  and  misery  are  in  their  ways  ;  and  there  is 
no  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes.  Ye  have  justly 
punished  many  of  them,  and  may  the  rest  soon  re 
ceive  their  just  reward." 

"  Thou  hast  wisely  spoken ;  but  hast  thou  aught 
of  special  importance  to  communicate  to  our  com 
mander  ?  " 

"  My  communication  is  for  thee  only,  and  has  no 
public  bearing." 

This  conversation  was  carried  on  in  the  hearing  of 
the  guard,  and  it  excited  various  comments  among 
them.  Some  wondered  at  the  fluency  with  which 
Herodion  spoke  their  native  tongue.  Others  said  he 
was  a  spy ;  and  others  that  he  was  one  of  the  robbers 
whom  he  had  so  severely  denounced,  hoping  that  he 
might  thus  gain  his  freedom.  Priscus,  however,  caring 
little  what  they  thought  or  said,  commanded  them  to 
return  to  their  posts  while  he  and  Herodion  sought 
the  shade  of  an  overhanging  cliff  a  little  above  the 
highway. 

"  Now  that  we  are  alone,"  said  Priscus  as  he  seated 
himself  beside  Herodion  on  a  large  stone,  "  I  am 
ready  for  thy  communication.  I  have  never  ceased 
to  be  anxious  concerning  thee  and  thy  daughter 
since  the  war  began,  and  your  interests  are  as  dear  to 
me  as  my  own." 

"  I  doubt  not  thy  word,  O  centurion,  for  thou  hast 
ever  been  our  best  earthly  friend.  I  have  not  for 
gotten  the  sad  experiences  through  which  we  passed  in 
Rome  and  Caesar ea,  nor  thy  sympathy  and  timely 
aid  in  our  dark  hours.  But  I  am  encouraged  by  the 
past  to  tell  thee  our  present  trouble  and  seek  thy 


An  Unexpected  Visit.  159 

further  help  and  advice.  Art  thou  acquainted  with 
the  events  that  have  lately  come  to  pass  in  the  Holy 
City?" 

"  No  ;  I  only  know  that  internal  troubles  of  some 
sort  have  been  eating  up  its  vitality." 

"  Has  not  Rebekah  given  thee  a  full  account  of  the 
calamities  that  have  befallen  us  ?  " 

"  I  have  learned  more  from  deserters  than  from  her 
letters." 

"  Just  what  I  thought.  Yet  thou  must  not  blame 
her  overmuch.  She  is  so  patriotic  that  she  fears  to 
utter  aught  that  may  prove  unfavorable  to  our  nation, 
or  that  may  seem  to  a  suspicious  person  into  whose 
hands  her  letter  might  chance  to  fall  to  savor  of 
treachery.  Yet  be  it  far  from  thee  to  think  that  she 
is  in  sympathy  with  the  seditious.  She  is  a  lover  of 
peace,  and  sees  of  late  a  far  more  dangerous  and  cruel 
enemy  of  our  people  in  the  zealots  than  in  your 
armies.  Indeed  she  now  thinks  the  walls  of  Jerusa 
lem  an  element  of  weakness  rather  than  strength, 
since  they  both  prevent  you  from  restoring  order  in 
the  city,  and  aid  the  zealots  in  their  cruelties  and 
robberies  by  lessening  the  people's  chances  of  es 
cape." 

"  I  fear  that  the  madness  of  rebellion  will  yield  less 
readily  to  our  policy  than  jour  strong  walls  to  our 
battering-rams.  There  is  but  one  remedy  for  this 
madness,  and  that  is  death." 

"  If  experience  be  a  trusty  teacher  thy  words  are 
worthy  of  credence  ;  for  the  zealots  have  laughed  at 
reason  and  mocked  at  force.  They  have  no  law  but 
passion,  and  no  God  but  money.  When  Ananus  re 
fused  admittance  to  their  allies,  they  crept  secretly 
to  the  gates  of  the  city  by  night,  and  aided  by  a  fear 
ful  storm  they  sawed  through  the  bars  and  admitted 
three  thousand  Idumeans,  who,  hastening  to  the 
relief  of  the  zealots,  commenced  a  fearful  massacre 
that  lasted  many  days.  Eight  thousand  and  five 
hundred  of  the  guards  were  slain  in  the  outer  court 
of  the  Temple.  Then  both  the  Idumeans  and  the 


160  Eebekah. 

zealots  fell  upon  the  city,  murdering  and  plundering 
everywhere.  Ananus  and  Jesus  they  slew,  then  cast 
them  naked  outside  the  city  to  be  devoured  by  dogs 
and  jackals.  Zachariah  the  son  of  Baruch  they 
murdered  in  the  Temple  ;  and  Gorion,  and  Niger  of 
Perea  soon  after  met  a  similar  fate.  Thousands  of 
the  common  people  were  slain  in  the  streets,  and  a 
great  multitude  of  the  better  sort  in  prison.  Nor 
durst  their  kindred  either  mourn  for  them  or  bury 
them,  except  in  secret." 

"  The  villains !  hell  itself  is  too  good  a  place  for 
them.  How  didst  thou  and  Rebekah  escape  their 
cruelties  and  indignities  ?  " 

"  Judas,  my  sister's  son,  is  one  of  their  leaders ;  and 
it  seemed  good  in  his  sight  to  spare  us." 

"Ah!  I  am  glad  then  for  your  sakes  that  the 
wound  I  once  inflicted  on  the  knave  was  not  fatal." 

"  And  we  have  reason  to  rejoice  that  his  attempt 
upon  thy  life  was  not  successful,  for  if  thou  wert  dead 
my  mission  here  were  vain." 

"  It  was  a  cruel  thrust,  and  I  shall  never  forget  it, 
nor  the  looks  of  him  who  gave  it.  I  have  met  many 
foes  in  battle,  but  never  one  who  looked  as  fiendish 
as  he." 

"  Passion  rules  him  as  the  tempest  does  the  sea. 
May  God  preserve  me  and  mine  from  his  revenge." 

"  Have  you  incurred  his  displeasure  since  the 
departure  of  the  Idumeans,  then  ?  Do  you  seek  es 
cape  from  him  ?  " 

"  From  him  and  the  rest  of  the  zealots.  We  have 
no  quarrel  with  them.  Nor  had  the  thousands  who 
have  been  slain.  The  fate  of  our  neighbors  has 
filled  us  with  distrust.  Besides,  if  we  should  escape 
death  at  their  hands,  remaining  in  the  city  must 
result  in  sufferings  worse  than  death,  for  our  Saviour 
has  foretold  its  destruction,  and  fearful  omens  have 
appeared  of  late  which  show  that  its  doom  is  nigh. 
For  more  than  six  years  a  certain  Jesus,  the  son  of 
Ananus,  a  plebeian,  has  come  up  to  every  feast,  and 
has  wandered  through  the  streets,  exclaiming  night 


An  Unexpected  Visit.  161 

and  day,  c  Woe  to  the  city  !  Woe  to  the  Temple  !  A 
voice  from  the  east!  A  voice  from  the  west.  A 
voice  from  the  four  winds  !  A  voice  against  Jerusa 
lem  and  the  Temple  ?  A  voice  against  bridegroom 
and  bride !  A  voice  against  the  whole  people ! '  At 
first  the  people  were  alarmed,  and  brought  the  of 
fender  before  Albinus,  the  Procurator  ;  but  he  would 
answer  no  question,  and  though  his  bones  were  laid 
bare  by  scourging  he  uttered  no  cry  but,  4  Woe,  woe 
to  Jerusalem.'  The  Procurator  took  him  for  a  mad 
man  and  dismissed  him  ;  but  whether  mad  or  not  his 
woeful  cry  is  still  heard  during  our  feasts.  Other 
signs  also  have  appeared.  A  star  shaped  like  a 
sword  has  been  seen  hanging  over  the  city.  The 
eastern  gate  of  the  inner  court  of  the  Temple,  which 
had  with  difficulty  been  shut  by  twenty  men,  alarmed 
the  guard  one  night  by  opening  of  its  own  accord. 
Some  also  say  that  on  a  certain  evening  at  sunset 
chariots  and  soldiers  prepared  for  war  were  seen  sur 
rounding  cities  in  the  clouds." 

u  Do  the  people  regard  these  signs  as  forebodings 
of  destruction?" 

"  The  men  of  learning  only  so  regard  them." 

"Many  have  already  escaped  from  the  city;  why 
were  not  thou  and  Rebekah  among  them  ?  " 

"  The  little  money  which  still  remained  after  my 
misfortunes  at  Rome  and  Csesarea  is  invested  at  Jeru 
salem,  and  an  effort  to  dispose  of  my  interests  there 
would  awake  suspicion.  Hence,  had  we  been  so 
minded,  we  could  not  have  purchased  our  liberty 
from  the  zealots,  as  many  have  already  done ;  nor 
would  it  have  been  wise  to  thrust  ourselves,  penni 
less,  upon  strangers.  Moreover,  Rebekah  will  not 
seek  refuge  anywhere  in  Palestine.  It  is  her  will  to 
go  to  Ephesus,  if  escape  be  possible  now." 

"  It  is  unnecessary  to  go  so  far  away.  Canst  thou 
not  persuade  her  to  accompany  thee  to  Emmaus,  and 
dwell  there  under  the  protection  of  our  legions  until 
the  war  is  over  ?" 

"  I  may  try  ;  the  fact  that  such  is  thy  desire  may 


162  Rebekah. 

have  weight  with  her.   But  she  wishes  to  depart  from 
the  scenes  of  war." 

"I  blame  her  not  after  all  her  sad  experiences. 
Still,  I  am  persuaded  that  both  she  and  thou  would 
be  as  safe  at  Emmaus  as  at  Ephesus.  Perhaps  thou 
canst  make  her  also  of  this  mind.  Whether  thou  dost 
succeed  or  not,  however,  thou  wilt  need  money.  Will 
five  sestertia  be  of  service  to  thee?  I  am  sorry  I  have 
no  more  to  offer  thee  now ;  but  I  shall  have  more 


soon." 


After  thanking  Priscus  for  his  timely  aid,  he  ac 
companied  him  to  the  camp,  and  a  few  hours  later 
took  his  departure. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

TREACHERY. 

ABOUT  the  time  Herodion  was  taking  leave  of  Pris 
cus,  Rebekah  was  ascending  Mount  Zion,  accompanied 
by  Judas,  who  had  overtaken  her  in  the  Tyropoeon. 
The  former  had  been  paying  a  short  visit  to  the 
clothes'  bazaar,  while  the  latter  was  returning  from 
the  Temple,  which  was  still  in  the  hands  of  the  zeal 
ots.  Rebekah  was  a  little  more  reserved  than  usual, 
a  fear  of  being  questioned  concerning  the  where 
abouts  of  her  father,  together  with  her  usual  dislike 
of  her  cousin,  making  his  presence  very  obnoxious  to 
her.  Judas,  on  the  other  hand,  was  unusually  cheer 
ful  and  talkative,  owing  partly  to  his  increasing  fond 
ness  for  Rebekah,  and  partly  to  the  news  that  had 
just  reached  Jerusalem  concerning  the  state  of  affairs 
at  Rome.  He  had  seen  but  little  of  his  cousin  of  late, 
she  deeming  it  expedient  to  shun  his  company  as  much 
as  possible.  It  was  quite  natural,  then,  that  he  should 
congratulate  himself  on  his  good  fortune  on  this  oc 
casion. 

'  Hast  thou  heard  the  news,  Rebekah  ?  "  was  one 
of  the  first  questions  he  asked  his  cousin. 


Treachery.  163 

"  What  news  ?  "  Rebekah  replied,  shunning  his  un 
holy  gaze. 

>k  That  our  oppressor  is  dead." 

"No." 

"May  the  end  of  all  our  enemies  be  as  the  end  of 
Nero.  He  has  been  taken  in  his  own  net,  and  has 
fallen  into  the  pit  he  had  made.  When  he  boasted 
of  his  strength,  Vindex  said,  '  Let  us  break  his  band 
asunder;'  and  Galba,  'Let  us  cast  away  his  cords 
from  us.'  When  he  said  to  his  soul,  'I  will  go  out 
as  at  other  times,  and  shake  myself,'  a  voice  came 
from  the  Praetorians,  saying,  '  We  will  not  have  this 
man  to  rule  over  us.'  Then  he  perished  by  his  own 
hand.  He  sought  for  our  souls ;  but  the  Lord  put 
him  to  shame.  He  devised  our  hurt ;  but  the  Lord 
turned  him  back  and  brought  him  to  confusion." 

"  Though  Nero  is  dead,  Rome  still  lives." 

"  Ay,  but  Rome  shall  be  broken  in  pieces ;  the  curse 
of  God  is  upon  it." 

Rebekah  made  no  reply  to  this  remark.  But  she 
thought  it  applied  with  far  greater  propriety  to  Jeru 
salem  than  to  Rome,  judging  from  the  state  of  affairs. 
After  a  short  pause  Judas  continued,  in  a  disappointed 
tone: 

"  Thou  sayest  thou  art  not  a  friend  of  Rome,  Re 
bekah  ;  yet  thine  heart  rejoices  not  at  these  glad  tid 
ings.  Art  thou  well  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Is  thy  father  well  ?  I  sought  him  at  his  stall, 
that  I  might  tell  him  the  news,  but  he  was  not  there. 
I  hope  he  is  not  ill." 

"  lie  was  well  this  morning." 

"  What  has  fettered  thy  tongue,  and  has  driven  the 
smiles  from  thy  face,  then,  Rebekah  ?  " 

"  Should  I  rejoice  at  the  death  of  an  oppressor, 
seeing  that  oppression  still  lives  ?  " 

"  Have  I  not  told  thee  that  Rome  is  doomed  ?  " 

"  Israel  has  other  enemies  than  Rome." 

"Ay,  thou  speakest  truly.  I  had  forgotten  them. 
We  need  not  fear  them,  however.  They  will  remem- 


164  Bebekah. 

ber  the  lessons  we  have  taught  them,*'  said  Judas, 
misconstruing  her  words. 

"And  God  will  remember  their  cruel  teachers," 
said  Rebekah,  as  she  reached  the  foot  of  the  stairway 
leading  to  her  own  apartment.  Glancing  at  her 
cousin,  she  saw  that  her  parting  fling  had  brought  a 
dark  cloud  to  his  face.  Not  waiting  for  his  reply,  she 
ran  up  the  stairs  as  fast  as  she  could,  and  soon  disap 
peared  from  view.  As  she  threw  herself  upon  a  di 
van,  a  few  minutes  later,  she  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief; 
and,  fixing  her  eyes  upon  a  chandelier  that  hung  in 
the  centre  of  the  room,  she  was  soon  lost  in  thought. 
At  first  her  mind  dwelt  on  her  disagreeable  inter 
view  with  Judas.  Then  she  thought  of  her  father  and 
Priscus,  and  gave  free  rein  to  her  imagination.  Ah, 
how  she  longed  just  then  to  see  the  centurion ! 
How  she  envied  her  father's  privilege  !  In  vain  did 
she  try  to  give  a  tinge  of  reality  to  the  image  Priscus 
had  printed  on  her  heart.  It  would  not  materialize. 
Gradually  her  thoughts  became  as  vague  as  the  image, 
and  she  fell  asleep.  It  was  not  restful  sleep,  how 
ever,  for  she  was  troubled  with  a  fearful  dream.  She 
dreamed  that  she  and  her  father  were  walking  lei 
surely  through  a  beautiful  garden,  and  that  their  course 
was  suddenly  cut  short  by  a  deep  gulf.  On  the  other 
side  of  the  gulf  she  saw  Priscus  standing  with  out 
stretched  arms,  and  an  anxious  look  on  his  face. 
Glancing  around,  she  saw  Judas,  with  a  band  of  zeal 
ots,  rushing  towards  them  with  drawn  swords  ;  and, 
uttering  a  smothered  scream,  she  awoke,  to  find  her 
self  on  the  divan.  The  room  was  dark,  and  still  as  a 
grave.  Recovering  somewhat  from  the  effects  of  the 
dream,  she  summoned  the  servant;  and,  ascertaining 
that  her  father  had  not  yet  arrived,  her  mind  became 
very  uneasy,  and  she  began  to  fear  for  his  safety. 
Her  fears  were  groundless,  however,  for  Herodion  en 
tered  the  room  soon  after  with  his  usual  compos 
ure. 

About  an  hour  later,  Rebekah  sat  beside  her  father, 
eagerly  listening  to  his  words.  He  told  her  of  his 


Treachery.  165 

arrest  by  the  soldiers ;  of  Priscus's  failure  to  recognize 
him ;  of  his  joy  when  he  discovered  who  he  was  ;  of 
his  long  interview  with  him ;  and  of  his  visit  to  the 
camp.  Then  after  a  short  pause  he  asked, 

"  Is  it  thy  will  still  to  go  to  Ephesus,  Rebekah  ? 
Remember  that  the  centurion's  desire  is  worthy  of 
thy  consideration.  He  is  thy  betrothed  and  my 
dearest  friend.  Moreover,  he  has  been  very  kind  to 
us." 

Rebekah  did  not  answer  immediately,  but  fixed 
her  eyes  abstractedly  upon  an  unclasped  bracelet  with 
which  she  was  toying.  It  was  evident  to  her  father 
that  a  hard  struggle  was  going  on  in  her  mind.  It 
was  a  struggle  between  love  and  fear,  and  her  father 
waited  patiently  for  the  outcome,  knowing  that  "  per 
fect  love  casteth  out  fear."  At  last  raising  her  head 
and  looking  into  her  father's  eyes,  she  quietly  said, 

"  I  will  go  to  Emmaus." 

"  Ah,  I  knew  thy  heart  would  teach  thee  wisdom. 
Now  let  us  plan  how  to  escape,  my  daughter.  We 
need  patience  and  discretion  as  well  as  courage  in 
order  to  outwit  our  enemies.  The  gates,  as  thou 
knowest,  are  closely  watched,  and  they  are  opened 
only  to  such  as  seek  admittance  into  the  city.  Hence 
we  must  seek  liberty  through  the  subterranean  pas 
sage  under  the  southern  wall." 

"  It  matters  not  to  me,  dear  father,  how  we  escape ; 
but  my  heart  yearns  to  leave  this  abode  of  violence 
and  murder.  Of  wailing  I  have  heard  enough,  and 
my  eyes  are  satiated  with  the  sight  of  blood.  There 
is  no  peace  for  Jerusalem,  nor  shall  we  have  peace  if 
we  remain  here.  Hast  thou  set  the  time  for  our 
escape  ?  " 

"  What  sayest  thou  to  the  close  of  the  second  watch 
to-morrow  night  ?  " 

"Why  not  to-night?  Delay  may  bring  obstruc 
tion?" 

"  So  may  haste  bring  destruction.  Besides,  we  are 
not  yet  prepared  to  go." 

Herodion's  purpose  in  delaying  their  departure  was 


166  Rebekah. 

to  attempt  to  make  a  secret  disposal  of  his  stock  of 
goods.  The  stock  was  not  very  large ;  yet  the  habits 
of  carefulness  and  economy  which  had  grown  upon 
him  during  years  of  business  life  would  not  allow 
him  to  abandon  it  without  making  some  effort  at  least 
to  dispose  of  it.  While  he  was  thinking  of  this,  it 
occurred  to  Rebekah  that  he  had  said  nothing  about 
the  servant,  therefore  she  inquired, 

"What  wilt  thou  do  with  Adah,  father?  " 

"  I  know  not  what  to  do  with  her ;  for  I  like  her 
not.  She  is  too  friendly  to  the  zealots.  To  leave  her 
here  without  provisions  would  be  cruel,  and  to  tell 
her  to  seek  another  master  would  arouse  suspicion." 

While  her  father  paused  Rebekah  remarked, 

"  Thou  sayest  truly ;  yet  it  seems  not  wise  to  let  her 
accompany  us ;  for  seeing  that  she  loves  the  zealots 
more  than  us,  may  she  not  betray  us  to  our  enemies  ?  " 

"What,  then,  can  we  do  with  her?"  asked  Her- 
odion  with  a  puzzled  look. 

"  James  the  Just  can  be  trusted ;  why  not  ask  him 
to  find  her  another  master  ?  "  was  the  prompt  reply. 

"  Thou  art  a  good  daughter,  Rebekah,  and  a  wise. 
I  shall  profit  by  thy  suggestion.  He  need  not  do  so 
until  we  have  departed." 

"  Hark !  Didst  thou  not  hear  a  noise  ?  "  interrupted 
Rebekah  with  a  warning  gesture. 

"  No ;  where  ?  "  added  her  father. 

"  There,  near  the  door.     There  it  is  again  ! 

Herodion  now  heard  a  slight  noise  as  of  clothing 
rubbing  against  the  wall,  and  taking  a  lamp  of  an 
cient  design  in  his  hand,  and  moving  aside  the  cur 
tain  which  hung  across  the  door,  he  walked  out  into 
a  passage  leading  to  the  veranda,  and  failing  to  see 
anything  to  excite  his  suspicion  he  returned  'to  the 
room.  As  he  resumed  his  seat  lie  assured  Rebekah 
that  the  noise  she  had  heard  was  simply  the  night 
breeze  moving  the  curtain  at  the  outer  end  of  the 
passage.  She  could  not  keep  her  eyes  from  wander 
ing,  however,  in  the  direction  of  the  door.  Nor  did 
the  conversation  flow  as  easily  as  before ;  and  this 


Treachery.  167 

caused  them  to  retire  much  earlier  than  they  would 
otherwise  have  done. 

The  next  day  seemed  very  long  to  them ;  and  al 
though  they  busied  themselves  as  usual  they  could 
think  of  nothing  but  their  contemplated  escape.  This 
together  with  his  failure  to  dispose  of  his  business 
interests  caused  Herodion  to  feel  not  a  little  downcast 
that  evening  on  his  return  home ;  yet  he  endeavored 
to  look  cheerful  for  the  sake  of  his  daughter.  Re- 
bekah  also  was  inclined  to  be  gloomy,  and  when  they 
sat  together  in  the  principal  room  waiting  for  the 
hour  of  midnight,  she  said, 

"  Twice  have  we  been  deprived  of  a  happy  home, 
and  twice  have  we  sought  refuge  from  our  enemies 
like  beasts  from  their  pursuers.  To-night  we  again 
leave  our  home,  which  though  not  a  very  happy  one 
is  still  a  home,  and  seek  happiness  and  safety  in 
flight.  Dost  thou  think  our  sky  will  ever  be  bright 
again,  father  ?  Will  the  Lord  always  chide  ?  " 

"  Though  we  have  been  sorely  afflicted,"  said  Her 
odion  ;  "  yet  the  Lord  has  been  good  to  us.  He  has 
said  by  the  mouth  of  the  Psalmist,  4  A  thousand  shall 
fall  at  thy  side  and  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand ; 
but  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.'  Is  not  this  true  of 
thee  and  me  ?  Surely  thou  hast  not  forgotten  the 
fearful  lamentations  and  cries  we  have  heard,  and 
the  scenes  of  blood  we  have  witnessed?  Dost  thou 
love  life?  So  did  the  thousands  that  have  perished 
around  us.  Yet  the  Lord  did  not  spare  them.  Why 
has  he  spared  us?  The  answer  is  given  in  the  Law, 
'  I  will  be  gracious  to  whom  I  will  be  gracious,  and 
will  show  mercy  on  whom  I  will  show  mercy.' " 

"  I  know  the  Lord  has  dealt  more  graciously  with 
us  than  with  many  of  our  countrymen  ;  yet  my  heart 
longs  for  peace — the  peace  we  enjoyed  in  Rome  be 
fore  the  fire,"  remarked  Rebekah  with  a  sigh. 

"  Had  we  our  own  way,  my  daughter,  we  would 
never  have  aught  but  summer  and  sunshine ;  but  our 
Heavenly  Father  knows  that  we  need  storms  and 
clouds  as  well.  Winter  makes  summer  more  beau- 


168  Eebekah. 

tiful  to  us,  and  affliction  makes  prosperity  more  sweet. 
Remember  thy  uncle's  words,  4  Our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.'  " 

As  Herodion  spoke,  he  was  not  entirely  free  from 
the  feeling  expressed  by  Rebekah ;  owing  to  his  age 
and  experience,  however,  he  was  better  able  to  con 
trol  it. 

The  time  for  their  departure  now  approaching,  they 
both  knelt  before  God  in  prayer  and  pleaded  for  di 
vine  help  and  guidance.  Then  taking  a  last  look  at 
their  home  they  stepped  out  noiselessly  on  the  veranda, 
which  overlooked  the  court.  The'  night  revealed  to 
them  the  stars  twinkling  in  the  clear  sky  above  them, 
while  a  gentle  summer  breeze  fanned  their  flushed 
cheeks.  Hearing  no  sound  but  the  loud  and  rapid 
beating  of  their  own  hearts,  they  cautiously  descend 
ed  the  stairway  to  the  court;  and  stopping  again  for  a 
moment  near  an  evergreen  tree  to  listen,  they  pro 
ceeded  towards  the  passage  leading  to  the  street. 
They  knew  that  along  the  panelled  walls  of  this  pas 
sage  lay  benches  of  stone  on  both  sides,  but  as  they  en 
tered  it  they  saw  nothing  but  darkness.  Not  a  word 
was  said ;  but  their  thoughts  were  very  busy  as  they 
walked  side  by  side  to  the  door  at  the  outer  end  of 
the  passage.  As  they  were  about  to  open  the  door 
a  heavy  hand  was  laid  on  each  of  them,  which  caused 
Rebekah  to  utter  a  piercing  scream.  Although  both 
were  terribly  frightened,  they  made  a  hard  struggle 
for  liberty ;  but  the  iron  grasp  of  four  strong  men 
held  them  like  a  vice. 

"  Who  dares  to  lay  hands  on  us?  "  demanded  Hero 
dion  as  they  were  seized. 

A  chorus  of  laughter  was  the  only  reply. 

Recognizing  the  voice  of  her  cousin,  Rebekah  ex 
claimed  with  contempt, 

"  Ah,  it  is  thou  !  Thy  deed  and  thy  companions  re 
mind  me  of  thy  namesake's  treachery  of  old. 

"  Ha,  ha,  and  I  will  make  the  resemblance  complete," 
said  Judas  stealing  a  kiss  from  her. 


Treachery.  169 

This  caused  another  burst  of  laughter  from  his  ac 
complices. 

"  Wert  thou  not  my  sister's  son,  I  would  call  thee 
a  villain,"  said  Herodion  in  a  choked  voice. 

"  And  wert  thou  not  my  cousin,  I  would  say  that 
thou  art  a  base  wretch,"  cried  Rebekah. 

"  Call  me  what  ye  will,  ha,  ha ;  perchance  ye  can 
imitate  a  lamb  by  acting  the  wolf,"  was  the  sneering 
reply. 

Both  Rebekah  and  her  father  keenly  felt  the  sting 
of  Judas's  remark  ;  for  on  more  than  one  occasion  they 
had  urged  as  an  excuse  for  discouraging  and  opposing 
the  rebellion  that  they  were  the  followers  of  the  Cruci 
fied  One,  whose  unresisting  character  had  been  ex 
pressed  by  Isaiah  in  the  words,  "  Like  a  lamb  before 
his  shearer,  so  opened  he  not  his  mouth."  As  is  often 
the  case  with  the  best  of  men,  in  an  unguarded  mo 
ment  they  had  lost  sight  of  their  ideal.  But  it  was 
not  too  late  to  repent ;  therefore  when  Herodion  next 
spoke,  it  was  with  a  composure  that  was  as  astonishing 
as  his  bitter  indignation  was  unchristian. 

"  Now  that  we  are  in  thy  power,  what  is  thy  will 
concerning  us?"  he  calmly  inquired  of  Judas. 

"  Ah,  now  thou  speakest  as  a  man  in  his  right  mind, 
and  thou  shalt  have  a  reasonable  answer,"  said  his 
nephew.  "  Ye  regard  us  as  your  enemies  ;  yet  are  we 
really  your  friends.  Learning  this  morning  that 
John  of  Giscliala,  having  been  informed  of  your  pur 
pose  to  escape,  designed  to  encompass  your  destruc 
tion  to-night,  I  secured  the  services  of  these  my  friends 
that  we  might  prevent  you  from  falling  into  his  hands. 
This  by  God's  help  we  have  been  able  to  do.  Whether 
we  deserve  censure  rather  than  gratitude,  judge  ye." 

ic  If  what  thou  sayest  be  true,  had  it  not  been 
easier  for  thee  to  acquaint  us  of  John's  design  ere  we 
left  the  house,  than  to  lie  in  wait  for  us  here  ?  "  asked 
Rebekah. 

To  this  Judas  replied  that  he  thought  the  method  he 
had  employed  far  more  effective  than  mere  words 
would  have  been.  This  statement,  however,  as  well 


170  RebekaL 

as  the  one  that  had  led  to  it  was  entirely  false,  for 
none  except  himself  and  accomplices  had  learned  of 
their  intention  to  escape.  His  reason  for  thus  con 
cealing  the  truth  was  that  he  might  appear  to  have 
their  interests  at  heart  while  he  simply  served  his  own. 
Self-interest  also  caused  him  to  hide  the  source  of  his 
information,  and  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  Re- 
bekdh  and  her  father  that  henceforth  they  would  be 
so  closely  watched  that  any  attempt  at  escape  would 
not  only  be  fruitless  but  fatal. 

Despite  all  his  efforts  at  the  concealment  of  his 
motives,  however,  the  betrayed  carried  with  them 
strong  suspicions  of  the  truth  into  their  home  that  ill- 
fated  night.  Had  they  seen  Adah  disappearing  from 
the  veranda  as  they  left  the  passage  one  of  their  sus 
picions  would  have  been  confirmed  ;  but  she  was  too 
wary  to  expose  herself,  and  too  devoted  to  Judas  and 
his  party  not  to  listen  to  their  expressions  of  the  bitter 
disappointment  they  felt  after  their  return  into  the 
house.  Nor  did  her  insidious  practice  cease  with  that 
evening  ;  for  she  was  too  much  under  Judas'  control 
to  refuse  him  further  service,  and  Herodion  would  not 
consent  to  dismiss  her  until  he  was  certain  of  her 
guilt. 

Thus  in  the  main  did  Rebekah's  dream  become  true. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

FANATICISM. 

THOUGH  Rebekah  and  her  father  returned  into  the 
house  soon  after  the  frustration  of  their  attempt  at 
escape,  Judas  and  his  accomplices  remained  in  the 
court  till  morning.  Then  by  dint  of  much  bribing 
and  coaxing,  the  chief  actor  secured  the  co-operation 
of  his  father's  servants;  and  charging  them  to  keep 
a  close  watch  over  his  uncle  and  cousin,  he  directed 
his  steps  towards  the  Temple,  while  a  broad  grin 
frequently  overspread  his  face.  He  thought  he  could 


Fanaticism.  171 

successfully  accomplish  by  the  employment  of  force 
what  he  had  failed  to  do  by  the  use  of  milder  means. 
He  loved  Rebekah,  and  he  was  determined  to  compel 
her  to  requite  his  passion.  But  he  would  not  intrude 
his  presence  upon  her  until  she  had  recovered  from 
her  disappointment.  Then  he  would  plainly  declare 
to  her  and  her  father  what  up  to  this  time  he  had 
only  hinted  at. 

As  he  crossed  the  bridge  towards  the  Temple,  he 
saw  the  tower  of  Antonia,  which  resembled  a  square 
keep  with  high,  pinnacle-like  turrets  at  the  corners, 
frowning  down  upon  the  temple-area,  with  the  north 
western  part  of  which  it  communicated  by  means  of 
staircases.  He  also  saw  the  strong  wall  which  en 
closed  the  large,  square  area  of  the  Holy  House. 
But  as  he  had  long  ago  become  familiar  with  these 
objects,  he  gave  them  but  little  attention.  Passing 
in  through  a  ponderous  gate  his  eyes  rested  for  a 
moment  upon  Solomon's  Porch,  a  fourfold  colonnade 
of  the  purest  white  marble,  fashioned  after  the  Corin 
thian  order,  and  supporting  a  roof  of  costly  cedar, 
beautifully  carved.  Then  turning  to  the  left  he 
elbowed  his  way  through  a  vast  multitude  of  repre 
sentatives  from  all  nations  into  an  open  space,  also 
square,  with  a  pavement  of  stones,  smooth  and  vari 
ously  colored,  and  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  a 
double  colonnade  of  the  same  material  and  order  as 
Solomon's  Porch.  Finding  this  also  crowded  he 
wondered  what  could  have  called  so  many  people 
together  at  so  early  an  hour ;  as  he  was  in  the  Court 
of  the  Gentiles,  however,  and  despised  the  Babel  of 
strange  tongues  which  grated  on  his  ears  at  every 
point,  he  curbed  his  curiosity  until  he  should  reach 
the  Court  of  the  Israelites.  After  much  difficulty,  lie 
reached  the  northern  part  of  the  court,  and  turning 
his  face  towards  the  south,  he  ascended  a  flight  of 
fourteen  steps,  and  entered  through  a  gate  covered 
with  gold  and  silver  into  a  smaller  court,  which  was 
surrounded  with  marble  walls  or  balustrades,  and 
columns  with  inscriptions  in  Greek  and  Latin  warn- 


172  XebeZah. 


ing  all  Gentiles  against  entering  this  more  sacred 
place  on  pain  of  death.  This  court  was  also  crowded, 
but  as  there  were  none  but  Israelites  here,  Judas  lost 
no  time  in  satisfying  his  curiosity.  Learning  that 
James  the  Just,  who  was  highly  respected  by  the 
people,  had  been  invited  during  his  absence  to  give 
publicly  his  opinion  of  Christ,  he  became  as  excited 
as  the  rest,'  and  plying  his  informant  with  further 
questions,  he  learned  that  the  venerable  bishop  was 
to  speak  from  one  of  the  pinnacles  of  the  Temple. 
This  induced  him  to  push  through  the  crowd  to  the 
low  but  beautiful  wall  which  separated  the  Court  of 
the  Israelites  from  the  Court  of  the  Priests.  Here  he 
found  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  in  great  force,  now 
looking  at  the  priests  busying  themselves  with  their 
sacred  occupation,  and  now  glancing  at  the  magnifi 
cent  structure  of  which  they  were  so  proud.  Pres 
ently  a  general  hush  announced  the  arrival  of  "  the 
just  one,"  who  after  saluting  the  doctors  of  the  law, 
entered  the  Court  of  the  Priests,  and  passing  between 
the  altar  of  burnt  offerings  and  the  golden  laver  he 
slowly  ascended  the  twelve  steps  leading  up  to  the 
Sanctuary.  Then  in  full  view  of  the  gaping  and 
awe-stricken  multitudes  in  the  Court  of  the  Israelites 
and  the  Court  of  the  Women,  he  prostrated  himself 
in  prayer,  while  the  vast,  doorless  gate  which  pierced 
the  immense  front  of  the  Sanctuary  hung  over  him 
like  a  golden  canopy,  and  the  bright  rays  of  the 
morning  sun  endowed  the  golden  vines  which  hung 
on  either  side  and  above  the  gate  with  such  transcend 
ing  glory  as  the  eyes  of  mortals  could  not  behold. 
Again  assuming  an  erect  but  reverent  attitude,  he 
walked  slowly  to  where  a  ladder  led  to  the  highest 
summit  of  the  Sanctuary,  and  climbed  up  past  the 
gilded  spikes  on  the  roof  to  the  appointed  place. 

"  Tell  us,  O  just  one,  about  Jesus  after  whom  the 
people  are  wandering,"  cried  a  voice  as  he  surve}red 
the  multitudes.  "Is  he  the  Door  of  the  Sheepfold  or 
not  ?  " 

For  a  moment  the  people  stood  in  breathless  silence, 


Fanaticism.  173 

and  a  complacent  smile  played  on  the  countenances 
of  the  doctors  of  the  law ;  then  the  answer  came  clear 
and  positive, 

"  Why  do  ye  ask  me  again  concerning  Jesus  the 
Son  of  Man  ?  He  both  sits  in  the  heavens  on  the 
right  hand  of  the  Almighty,  and  will  come  on  the 
clouds  of  heaven." 

The  effect  produced  by  these  words  was  wonderful. 
Some  exultantly  cried, 

"  Hosannah  to  the  Son  of  David." 

The  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  however,  recovering 
from  their  astonishment,  looked  at  each  other  and 
exclaimed, 

"The  just  one  has  also  gone  astray!  We  did 
wrong  in  giving  him  an  opportunity  to  testify  for 
Jesus.  Let  us  have  him  cast  down." 

"  I  will  cast  him  down  !  I  will  cast  him  down," 
cried  the  son  of  Merto,  hastening  into  the  Court  of  the 
Priests  ;  and  the  next  moment  he  was  climbing  to  the 
pinnacle  of  the  Temple. 

"  Wherefore  art  thou  come,  my  son,"  said  the 
venerable  bishop  as  Judas  reached  the  top. 

"  There  is  my  answer,  thou  blaspheming  dog,  thou 
accursed  teacher  of  false  doctrines,"  said  the  son  of 
Merto,  giving  him  a  violent  push,  which  landed  him 
on  the  pavement  below,  while  the  multitudes,  swayed 
by  various  emotions,  made  the  House  of  God  the  scene 
of  the  wildest  uproar  and  confusion. 

The  fall,  great  as  it  was,  did  not  produce  instant 
death ;  and  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  stood  for  a 
moment  as  if  overwhelmed  with  fear;  then  they 
rushed  with  one  accord  upon  the  aged  martyr  as  he 
writhed  in  his  blood,  and  stoned  him  to  death  while 
he  cried,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not 
what  they  do."  Thus  he  died  as  he  had  lived — a 
righteous  man — and  his  murderers  buried  him  near  the 
Sanctuary,  thinking  that  by  so  doing  they  rendered  an 
atonement  for  their  crime. 

The  excitement  attending  the  martyrdom  of  the 
Lord's  brother  had  scarcely  abated  before  Judas  con- 


174  Eebekah. 

spired  with  many  other  zealots  to  plunder  the  people, 
and  it  was  not  until  Simon  the  son  of  Giora,  after 
laying  waste  nearly  the  whole  of  Idumea,  had  in 
vested  the  Holy  City,  that  a  partial  stop  was  put  to 
their  depredations.  Even  Simon's  presence  outside 
the  walls  of  the  city,  however,  did  not  prevent  the 
robbers  from  weaving  their  Satanic  plots,  and  none 
was  more  deeply  involved  in  these  than  Judas.  It 
was  while  he  and  another  of  the  leaders  were  forming 
one  of  these  plots  in  the  Temple,  that  a  group  of 
Galileans  in  feminine  garments  and  with  braided  hair 
went  past  them  into  the  Inner  Court. 

"  By  the  splendor  of  heaven,"  said  Judas,  looking 
after  them,  "  these  base  Galileans  smell  like  a  dozen 
apothecary  shops.  Would  that  John  had  left  them  in 
Gischala." 

"  Ha,  ha,  thou  forgettest  that  they  need  to  besmear 
themselves  with  ointments,  seeing  that  their  names  are 
an  abomination  to  the  people, "  said  the  other. 

"  I  blame  not  the  people  for  despising  them,  for  the 
villains  exceed  in  recklessness  the  angel  of  death, 
when  he  slew  the  first-born  of  Egypt.  They  cut 
more  throats  than  the  priests  in  yonder  court,"  con 
tinued  Judas. 

"  Ay,  and  they  surpass  Sodom  in  wantonness,  and 
Ach  in  in  greed  for  gold,"  was  the  reply. 

These  remarks  were  not  due  to  a  disapproval 
of  the  wickedness  of  the  Galileans  so  much  as  to 
envy  and  jealousy  at  the  extreme  freedom  they  en 
joyed.  John  held  them  responsible  for  neither 
word  nor  deed,  while  the  rest  of  the  zealots  were 
placed  under  certain  restraints.  This  therefore  re 
sulted  in  the  complete  abandonment  of  the  Galileans 
to  all  sorts  of  vice  and  crime,  on  the  one  hand,  and 
intense  dissatisfaction  among  the  less  favored  zealots 
on  the  other.  Where  such  a  condition  of  things  ex 
isted,  even  a  crafty  knave  like  John  could  not  main 
tain  harmony  and  order  long. 

From  the  thoughts  awakened  by  the  appearance  of 
the  Galileans  to  the  consideration  of  John's  char- 


Fanaticism.  175 

acter,  the  transition  was  very  easy.     Hence  Judas  re 
marked  with  a  frown, 

"  I  like  not  the  tyrant ;  his  promises  are  always 
greater  than  his  rewards. 

"  Why  not  desert  him  then  ?  "  suggested  the  other. 
"  If  my  judgment  be  not  amiss,  thou  as  well  as  I 
need  not  wait  long  for  an  opportunity.  Dark  clouds 
already  gather  around  him." 

"  Dost  thou  mean  the  discontent  of  the  Idumeans, 
whom  Simon  the  son  of  Giora  has  caused  to  flee  into 
the  city  ?  " 

"  Ay,  and  Eleazar's  jealousy." 

"  It  would  not  be  wise  to  unite  with  these  in  re 
volt,  for  John  is  too  cunning  a  knave  to  be  taken  in 
their  net,  and  his  followers  are  too  numerous  to  be 
overcome  by  them.  There  will  be  other  opportuni 
ties  ;  we  must  wait  for  them." 

"  Wait?  by  the  Holy  City,  I  have  already  waited 
till  my  patience  is  nearly  exhausted  !  " 

Here  the  conversation  was  cut  short  by  the  arrival 
of  a  messenger  from  John — who  had  lately  made  one 
of  those  palaces  which  belonged  to  the  royal  house  of 
Adiabene  his  headquarters — commanding  the  zealots 
to  prepare  themselves  at  once  to  come  to  his  relief 
against  an  attack  that  was  about  to  be  made  by  the 
Idumeans.  This  command  was  no  sooner  given  than 
the  whole  host  of  zealots  flew  to  arms,  and  hastened 
to  the  conflict.  They  reached  the  royal  palace  none 
too  soon,  for  they  had  hardly  formed  themselves  in 
battle  array  before  the  Idumeans  rushed  upon  them 
like  wild  beasts.  In  vain  did  John  and  his  favored 
Galileans  try  to  maintain  their  ground.  In  vain  did 
the  other  leaders  try  to  cut  their  way  into  the  ranks 
of  the  enemy,  for  the  Idumeans  were  too  strong  for 
John's  forces.  They  drove  them  first  into  the  palace, 
and  thence  into  the  temple,  taking  possession  of  all 
the  spoils  that  the  tyrant  had  gathered  into  his  head 
quarters,  and  slaying  many  of  his  men.  This  they 
did,  however,  at  no  little  loss  to  themselves ;  for  al 
though  there  were  but  few  experienced  soldiers  among 


176  Eebekah. 

the  vanquished,  there  were  some,  among  whom  was 
Judas,  who  contested  every  inch  of  ground  from  the 
palace  to  the  Temple,  and  slew  many  with  whom 
they  came  in  contact. 

Stung  by  his  defeat  and  incensed  by  the  loss  of  his 
spoils,  John  immediately  summoned  his  leading  offi 
cers  to  a  council  of  war  in  the  hall  called  Gazith, 
south  of  the  Holy  Place,  partly  in  the  Court  of  the 
Priests  and  partly  in  the  inner  court,  where  the  San- 
hedrin  met.  Among  his  councilors  was  Judas,  who 
concurred  with  the  others  in  the  opinion  that  a  secret 
sally  should  be  made  as  soon  as  possible  on  the  Idu- 
means,  and  that  their  quarters  should  be  set  on  fire. 
His  motive  in  this  concurrence  was  not  hatred  of  the 
Idumeans  as  much  as  a  desire  for  the  speedy  over 
throw  of  the  tyrant.  In  this  he  was  not  alone.  John, 
however,  in  spite  of  his  craft,  was  ignorant  of  this 
fact.  Therefore  he  appointed  the  close  of  the  second 
watch  that  night  as  the  time  for  the  sally. 

As  the  council  was  about  to  adjourn,  several  mes 
sengers  in  the  highest  state  of  excitement  sought  ad 
mittance  into  the  room. 

"  Treachery,  treachery  !  my  lord,"  cried  all  of  them 
at  the  top  of  their  voices. 

"  Where,  where  ?  "  exclaimed  the  various  com 
manders,  leaping  from  their  seats  and  unsheathing 
their  swords. 

"  The  high  priests  have  thrown  open  the  gates,  and 
Simon  and  his  army  are  already  in  the  streets,"  was 
the  reply. 

The  flourish  of  trumpets  and  loud  acclamations  in 
various  parts  of  the  city,  and  the  increasing  tumult 
of  the  zealots  as  they  ran  to  and  fro  in  the  courts  of 
the  Temple,  made  further  explanation  unnecessary. 
Nor  did  the  members  of  the  council  stop  to  hear 
more,  but  all  of  them  hastened  to  the  outer  court  to 
see  that  the  gates  were  closed. 

After  the  excitement  caused  by  Simon's  entrance 
into  the  city  had  subsided,  Judas  again  met  the  offi 
cer  with  whom  he  was  conversing  when  they  were 


Fanaticism.  177 

summoned  to  John's  assistance,  and  with  a  satisfied 
air  he  said, 

"  Did  I  not  tell  thee  to  wait  for  better  opportuni 
ties  ?  If  I  mistake  not  the  signs  of  the  times,  we 
shall  soon  have  the  desire  of  our  hearts.  He  whom 
the  people  now  hail  as  their  saviour,  will  soon  prove 
himself  to  be  their  tyrant,  and  the  greatest  tyrant  is 
the  man  whom  thou  and  I  must  serve." 

"  By  the  hosts  of  heaven,  thou  dost  begin  to  smell 
spoils  already,"  said  the  other.  "  As  for  me,  I  shall 
reserve  my  mirth  until  my  eyes  see  them  and  my 
hands  touch  them." 

The  approach  of  another  officer  here  caused  them 
to  change  the  conversation,  and  the  three  soon  moved 
away  in  the  direction  of  Solomon's  Porch. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

"FIGHTINGS   AND   FEARS   WITHIN,   WITHOUT." 

INTERNAL  troubles  now  hastened  to  their  climax, 
and  Rebekah  and  her  father  after  a  night  of  grave 
anxiety  and  sleeplessness  ascended  to  the  house-top 
in  quest  of  the  mental  rest  and  peace  which  they  had 
vainly  sought  during  the  hours  of  darkness.  The 
scene  upon  which  they  looked  was  both  grand  and 
terrible.  For  miles  around  the  city  walls  their  eyes 
traced  many  beautiful  gardens,  of  which  some  of  the 
trees  were  still  in  blossom,  while  the  rest  were 
burdened  with  fruits  in  various  stages  of  develop 
ment.  Flowers  there  were  in  abundance  also,  but 
these  could  not  be  seen  from  where  they  stood. 
Within  the  city  many  objects  of  interest  were 
exposed  to  their  view.  North  of  the  second  wall 
they  saw  that  part  of  Jerusalem  called  the  "  new 
city,"  around  which  was  built  on  every  side  but  the 
south  that  wall  commenced  by  Agrippa,  and  left  by 
him  to  be  finistied  by  a  later  hand,  because  he  feared 


178  Eebekah. 

to  arouse  the  suspicions  of  Claudius  Caesar.  South 
west  of  this  newer  portion,  between  the  first  and 
second  wall,  was  Akra,  and  northeast  of  this  an 
elevation  occupied  by  several  palaces  built  by  foreign 
princes.  The  north-western  part  of  Mount  Zion, 
however,  was  far  more  attractive  than  any  of  these. 
It  was  here  that  Herod's  palace  rose  in  all  its 
vsplendor  among  the  towers  of  Hippicus,  of  Phasselus, 
and  of  Mariamne,  which  in  beauty  and  strength  sur 
passed  all  other  towers  in  the  city.  None  of  these 
objects,  however,  great  as  was  their  attractiveness, 
received  more  than  a  casual  glance  from  Rebekah  and 
her  father  on  that  beautiful  spring  morning.  The 
Temple  and  its  vicinity,  which  lay  a  little  to  the 
northeast  from  where  they  stood,  offered  far  greater 
attractions  to  them.  Besides  being  the  most  beau 
tiful  spot  on  earth,  it  was  also  the  scene  of  such 
wickedness  and  madness  as  is  seldom  witnessed  by 
the  eyes  of  man.  The  father  and  daughter  had  many 
a  time  looked  upon  that  most  sacred  and  magnificent 
pile  with  no  small  degree  of  pride  and  joy ;  but  they 
heaved  many  a  sigh,  and  shed  tears  of  sorrow  as  they 
gazed  upon  it  now.  They  saw  four  towers,  newly 
erected  by  the  zealots,  frowning  down  upon  the  Court 
of  the  Israelites,  one  at  the  north-east  corner ;  one 
at  the  southwest  corner  above  the  xystus;  another 
at  the  corner  over  against  the  lower  city ;  and  the 
fourth  above  the  place  where  a  priest  gave  notice  to 
the  people  every  week  of  the  beginning  and  ending 
of  the  Sabbath,  by  blowing  a  trumpet.  As  they 
looked  upon  these  signs  of  internal  discord  they 
thought  of  the  human  fiends  that  preyed  upon  eacli 
other  within  and  without  the  walls  of  the  Temple  of 
God,  and  polluted  its  sacred  floors  with  their  unholy 
blood.  They  missed  the  large  edifices  which  had 
been  wantonly  destroyed  a  few  days  before,  and  saw 
the  heaps  of  decaying  corpses  lying  in  the  streets. 
They  heard  the  noise  of  the  war  engines  and  the 
yells  of  the  contending  factions.  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  their  hearts  were  sore  ?  Although  they  served 


"Fiyhtings  and  Fears    Within,  Without:'     179 

Him  who  was  greater  than  the  Temple  ;  yet  being 
Jews  it  was  natural  for  them  to  share  in  the  reverence 
which  all  but  the  seditious  had  for  the  Holy  Place. 

The  thoughts  and  feelings  which  the  incongruous 
scene  upon  which  they  looked  awakened  in  them,  at 
first  prevented  them  from  speaking.  This  silence, 
however,  did  riot  last  long.  Wiping  the  tears  from  her 
eyes  with  one  hand,  and  laying  the  other  on  her 
father's  shoulder,  Rebekah  remarked  in  a  trembling 
voice, 

"  Had  we  been  able  to  escape,  father,  we  would 
at  least  have  been  spared  the  necessity  of  beholding 
this  wickedness  and  abomination." 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,  my  child,"  said  Herodion 
with  some  difficulty.  "  Yet  I  fear'that  what  we  now 
behold  and  feel  is  naught  compared  with  what  is  still 
to  come." 

"  Ah !  then  how  can  our  hearts  endure  it  all,"  said 
Rebekah  with  a  deep  sigh. 

"  We  may  not  live  to  see  it,  Rebekah,  we  may  not 
live,"  was  the  solemn  reply.  "  We  and  our  neighbors 
may  soon  form  such  unsightly  heaps  as  our  eyes  now  be 
hold.  Or  if  it  be  the  will  of  God  that  we  shall  dive  to 
see  the  end,  no  doubt  he  will  make  perfect  his 
strength  in  our  weakness." 

As  Rebekah  listened  to  her  father's  allusion  to  the 
possibility  of  their  meeting  a  similar  fate  to  that  of 
the  unburied  dead  she  saw,  she  shuddered  involun 
tarily,  placing  her  hand  over  her  e}Tes.  Not  only  was 
the  possibility  of  such  a  horrible  fate  repulsive  to 
her,  but  the  thought  of  dying  before  seeing  Priscus 
was  almost  unbearable.  After  a  prolonged  pause  she 
said, 

"  The  tyranny  of  Rome  is  far  better  than  the  cruel 
oppression  of  the  Idumeans  and  zealots.  Would  that 
Titus  had  arrived  !  " 

Titus  now  had  full  command  of  the  Roman  army  in 
Palestine,  his  father  having  ascended  the  imperial 
throne.  He  was  expected  soon  to  besiege  the  Holy 
City,  and  since  he  was  a  kind  man  as  well  as  a  brave 


180  Rebekah. 

warrior,  Rebekah  voiced  the  desire  of  those  who 
were  at  the  mercy  of  the  seditious  when  she  said  she 
wished  Titus  had  arrived. 

Continuing  the  conversation,  Herodion  said,  look 
ing  to  the  northwest, 

"  He  ought  to  be  here  ere  long,  seeing  that  he  left 
Caesarea  yesterday.  I  had  rather  see  the  city  in  his 
hands  than  in  the  power  of  these  impious  sons  of  Be 
lial.  Though  he  worships  not  our  God,  nor  loves  our 
people,  he  is  acquainted  with  mercy." 

Seeing  no  sign  of  the  Roman  army,  the  father  and 
daughter  now  descended  to  the  house;  but  their  rest 
lessness  did  not  permit  them  to  stay  there  long.  In 
common  with  many  others  they  spent  most  of  the  day 
on  the  house-top,  now  watching  the  strife  of  the  con 
tending  factions  in  and  around  the  Temple,  and  now 
straining  their  eyes  to  see  if  they  could  discern  the  ap 
proach  of  the  Romans. 

At  last  while  the  setting  sun  bathed  the  gilded 
spikes  of  the  Temple  in  a  sea  of  glory  their  patient 
watching  was  rewarded  with  the  sight  of  what  they 
thought  to  be  the  advance  guard  of  the  Romans. 

"  Look  !  look  !  "  cried  Rebekah  excitedly.  "  They 
come  !  They  come !  " 

"  God  be  praised  ! "  exclaimed  Herodion.  "  Our 
afflictions  shall  now  soon  come  to  an  end.  Long  have 
we  desired  to  see  that  cloud  of  dust.  But,  Rebekah, 
it  is  far  too  small  to  betoken  the  approach  of  a  large 
army." 

"  Whether  they  be  many  or  few,  father,"  was  the  re 
ply  ;  "  their  approach  has  already  caused  our  tormen 
tors  to  cease  fighting.  See  !  many  of  them  are  now 
running  towards  the  tower  of  Psephinus." 

The  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Romans  spread  through 
the  city  almost  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  and  every 
house-top  in  the  Upper  City,  and  every  tower  and  wall 
in  the  newer  portions  were  crowded  with  anxious 
spectators,  while  the  streets  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
north-western  gate  were  full  of  Idumean  soldiers. 
They  all  thought  that  the  whole  Roman  army  was 


Fightings  and  Fears   Within,  Without"     181 

approaching  ;  but  to  the  infinite  relief  of  some,  and 
the  disappointment  of  others  it  soon  became  evident 
that  only  a  few  hundred  horsemen  were  advancing, 
and  they  with  no  hostile  intention. 

"  Ah,"  said  Herodion,  still  watching  the  horsemen, 
"  Titus  is  a  cunning  warrior.  He  will  not  bring  his 
whole  army  before  the  city  until  he  has  fully  exam 
ined  its  walls.  If  I  mistake  not,  that  is  he  with  his 
escort.  See  !  they  leave  the  road  now,  and — the  Holy 
Prophets !  they  are  surrounded  by  the  seditious ! 
They  are  being  cut  to  pieces  by  them.  O  thou  God 
of  hosts,  help  our  deliverer!  Let  not  our  hopes 
perish  !•" 

The  next  few  minutes  appeared  like  ages  to  Re- 
bekah  and  her  father.  The  scene  of  the  conflict  was 
so  far  away  and  the  fearful  activity  of  the  combatants 
raised  such  clouds  of  dust  that  they  could  have  not 
the  least  idea  how  the  Romans  fared  in  the  midst  of 
so  many  deadly  foes.  Even  when  the  clouds  of  dust 
disappeared  they  could  only  say  that  the  conflict  had 
ended.  But  what  had  been  the  fate  of  the  Romans 
was  as  much  of  a  mystery  to  them  as  ever.  The  ac 
clamations  of  joy  which  at  length  reached  their  ears, 
however,  told  them  that  the  seditious  were  victorious, 
and  when  Merto  came  home  from  the  Temple  they 
learned  the  particulars. 

"Ye  rightly  judged  that  it  was  Titus  and  his  es 
cort,"  said  he,  "and  that  they  had  come  to  view  the 
city.  It  was  when  the  general  and  a  few  others  had 
just  left  the  road  in  order  to  get  a  better  view  of  the 
Temple  that  the  seditious  rushed  out  upon  them 
from  the  Towers  of  the  Women." 

"  Ay,  we  saw  them  fall  upon  the  uncircumcised 
dogs,  and  ha,  ha,  their  going  forth  was  like  a  flood," 
said  Merto's  wife. 

"  They  separated  them  from  the  rest  of  the  horse 
men,"  said  Merto,  ignoring  his  wife's  remark ;  "  and 
this  placed  the  general  in  a  very  critical  position,  for 
the  hedges  and  trenches  around  the  gardens  in  front 
•of  him  prevented  his  going  forward,  and  to  return  to 


182  RebeJcah. 

the  main  body  of  his  men  was  impossible  without 
cutting  his  way  through  the  seditious." 

"  Call  not  our  defenders  'seditious',  O  thou  heathen- 
worshiping  priest,"  said  his  wife,  again  interrupting 
him.  *  If  thou  canst  not  tell  thy  tale  without  defam 
ing  the  Lord's  elect,  thou  hadst  better  hold  thy 
peace." 

Disdaining  to  answer  her  offensive  remark,  Merto 
gave  her  a  withering  look  and  continued, 

"  His  danger  was  increased  also  by  the  fact  that  he 
had  neither  helmet  nor  breastplate  to  protect  him, 
for  he  had  come  to  see  and  not  to  fight.  But  he  was 
equal  to  the  occasion,  for  he  no  sooner  discerned  his 
situation  than  he  rushed  in  among  his  enemies  with 
his  few  followers,  cutting  them  down  on  every  hand. 
In  vain  did  the  archers  seek  his  life,  in  vain  did  the 
spearmen  hurl  their  javelins  at  him.  His  sword  was 
his  shield  as  well  as  his  avenger." 

"  Then  he  received  no  wounds  ? "  said  Rebekah, 
brightening  up  at  the  idea. 

"  None,"  was  the  reply,  "  but  he  inflicted  many ; 
and  when  he  effected  his  escape,  none  dared  to  pur 
sue  him." 

"  Did  his  followers  fare  as  well?  "  asked  Herodion. 

"  No,  not  all.  The  few  who  fought  at  his  side  were 
hard  pressed.  One,  being  surrounded  by  the  enemy, 
was  slain  together  with  his  horse.  Another  was  thrust 
through  as  he  was  dismounting,  and  his  horse  was 
taken  into  the  city.  The  others  escaped,  but  not 
without  many  wounds." 

"  Ha,  ha,  those  prowling  jackals  at  least  will  have 
reason  to  fear  the  lions  of  Judah,"  said  Merto's  wife. 
"  Would  that  they  and  their  hateful  general  were  at 
my  mercy.  But  I  will  be  patient;  the  hour  of  their 
destruction  must  come." 

"  I  fear  thine  will  come  first,  Martha,"  said  Her 
odion.  "  Titus's  narrow  escape  might  awaken  the 
spirit  of  revenge  in  his  army." 

"  I  hope  not,"  said  Rebekah  apprehensively ;  "  for 


"Fightings  and  Fears   Within,  Without."     183 

then  the  innocent  would  receive  the  same  fate  as  the 
guilty." 

Their  ears  now  caught  the  sound  of  distant  trump 
ets,  and  they  surmised  that  Titus  was  bringing  his 
army  before  the  city  under  the  protection  of  the  dark 
ness  which  had  already  fallen  upon  it.  Other  trump 
ets  were  soon  heard  from  another  direction  also, 
indicating  the  arrival  of  re-enforcements.  Owing  to 
these  startling  sounds  and  the  thoughts  awakened  by 
them  there  were  few  that  slept  in  the  Holy  City  that 
night.  All  knew  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand,  and  all 
tried  in  vain  to  forecast  the  future.  Rebekah  would 
have  given  the  world  if  she  possessed  it,  for  one 
glimpse  of  the  hidden  ways  of  God ;  but  like  the  rest 
she  found  only  new  sources  of  pain  and  anxiety  in 
the  attempt  to  explore  the  vast  unknown.  If  she 
could  only  know  that  she  should  ever  see  Priscus 
again,  it  would  be  a  great  satisfaction  to  her.  This, 
however,  like  other  things  she  desired  to  know,  was 
denied  her. 

The  early  dawn  found  her  and  her  father  again  on 
the  house-top,  and  revealed  to  their  eager  eyes  three 
different  camps  in  course  of  construction,  one  on 
Scopus;  another  three  furlongs  farther  back;  and  the 
third  on  Mount  Olivet.  The  sight  though  disagreeable 
on  some  accounts,  was  novel  and  attractive,  and  the 
attention  of  our  friends  was  at  first  divided  between 
the  two  camps  on  the  north  and  the  one  on  the  east. 
The  latter,  however,  at  length  monopolized  their  at 
tention,  as  it  could  be  seen  much  more  distinctly  than 
the  rest,  owing  to  its  nearness. 

Wishing  to  know  something  about  the  plan  and 
regulations  of  the  Roman  camps,  and  remembering 
that  her  father  had  accompanied  Priscus  to  the  camp 
at  Emmaus  nearly  a  year  before,  Rebekah  presently 
became  an  attentive  listener  to  the  following  words  : 

"All  Roman  camps,  I  have  been  told,  are  con 
structed  on  the  same  plan.  Yonder  camp,  as  thou 
seest,  is  a  square,  and  they  are  digging  a  deep  trench 
around  it,  throwing  the  dirt  on  the  inner  side  so  as 


184  HebekaL 

to  form  a  rampart.  When  the  work  is  farther  ai 
vanced,  thou  shalt  see  them  fortifying  the  rampart 
with  towers  at  regular  intervals,  and  with  long  stakes. 
On  each  side  there  will  be  a  gate,  and  the  tents  inside 
Will  be  divided  into  two  unequal  parts,  with  a  wide 
space  between  them.  The  larger  part  will  be  oc 
cupied  by  the  cohorts ;  the  smaller  by  the  command 
ers.  When  the  camp  is  finished,  what  thou  seest  now 
the  seat  of  so  much  disorder  will  have  the  appearance 
of  a  well-regulated  and  fortified  city. 

"  The  Romans  love  order  more  than  religion,  and 
deal  severely  with  the  violators  of  military  law,  while 
those  who  are  guilty  of  sacrilege  frequently  escape 
punishment.  Thou  seest  how  closely  those  men  who 
are  digging  the  trench  are  watched,  and  how  hard 
they  work.  They  have  been  hardened  by  years  of 
discipline,  and  are  impelled  to  activity  either  by  the 
fear  of  authority  or  by  the  desire  to  win  the  approval 
of  their  general." 

"  Hast  thou  learned  aught  about  the  laws  govern 
ing  the  camp  ?  "  asked  Rebekah 

"  Ay,"  was  the  reply.  "  The  order  of  the  cohorts 
and  companies  is  like  that  of  the  tribes  and  families 
of  Israel  in  the  wilderness.  Each  cohort  has  its  own 
place,  and  the  members  of  each  company  dwell  and 
eat  together,  their  food,  water,  and  wood  being  given 
them  beforehand.  Those  who  keep  watch,  as  well  as 
those  who  minister  to  the  commanders  and  keep  the 
camp  decent  and  in  order,  are  chosen  by  lot.  The 
night,  as  thou  knowest  is  divided  into  four  watches 
of  three  hours'  length,  the  hours  of  each  watch  b^ing 
given  by  a  trumpet,  as  is  also  the  time  for  eating, 
sleeping,  and  rising.  Each  company  every  morning 
salutes  its  centurion  ;  each  centurion  his  tribune ;  and 
each  tribune  the  consul,  who  gives  them  the  watch- 
ward  and  the  orders  for  the  day.  The ". 

Here  Rebekah  interrupted  him  by  calling  his  atten 
tion  to  the  sudden  cessation  of  hostilities  on  the  part 
of  the  different  factions.  At  the  same  time  they  saw 


"Fightings  and  Fears   Within,  Without.       185 

men  hastening  from  various  parts  of  the  city  towards 
the  Temple. 

"  What  is  the  attraction,  friend  ?  "  asked  Herodion, 
leaning  over  the  parapet,  and  addressing  a  man  in 
the  street. 

"  John  is  going  to  speak  to  the  people  from  the 
Pastophoria,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Then  I  must  go  to  hear  what  the  tyrant  has  to 
say,"  said  Herodion. 

"  I  fear  it  is  not  safe  for  thee  to  go,  father,"  re 
marked  Rebekah. 

Herodion  assured  her  there  was  no  cause  for  alarm, 
and  hurried  to  the  Temple.  He  was  there  in  time  to 
hear  John  exclaim  : 

"  Men  and  brethren ;  incline  your  ears  to  the  words 
of  my  mouth,  and  your  hearts  to  the  voice  of  reason. 
Do  we  not  worship  the  same  God?  Have  we  not  the 
same  religion  ?  Love  we  not  the  Law  and  the  Proph 
ets,  and  the  traditions  of  the  fathers  ?  Is  not  Jeru 
salem  dearer  to  us  than,  the  tents  of  Jacob,  and  the 
Temple  than  our  own  life?  Why  do  we  devour  each 
other,  then,  as  the  beasts  of  the  field?  Has  Israel  no 
enemy  to  fight,  that  it  devours  its  own  flesh?  Lift 
up  your  eyes  and  behold.  Know  ye  those  accursed 
standards  in  the  north,  and  here  on  the  Mount  of 
Olives?  From  whom  was  this  tower  taken,  and  why? 
Have  we  grown  weary  of  freedom  that  we  suffer  the 
accursed  dogs  of  Rome  to  build  three  fortified  walls 
around  us?  Is  the  Holy  City  an  amphitheatre,  and 
are  we  spectators  to  be  amused  by  the  feats  of  those 
whom  our  hearts  despise  ?  Ah !  ye  do  well  to  say, 
'  No.'  Then  let  us  fall  together  on  our  common  en 
emy.  Let  us  save  ourselves  by  destroying  the  legions 
of  Rome.  To  the  fight ;  victory  is  ours  !  " 

This  brief  speech  was  received  with  much  applause 
by  the  Idumeans,  which  pleased  John  not  a  little,  and 
he  left  the  Pastophoria  bowing  and  smiling  in  his 
flattering  way,  amidst  loud  acclamations.  As  he 
reached  the  Inner  Court  none  congratulated  him  so 
warmly  on  his  success  as  Judas.  Not  that  he  had 


186  Rebekah. 

lost  any  of  his  dislike  for  the  tyrant,  or  thought  that 
the  alliance  which  was  about  to  be  formed  would  last 
long;  but  because  he  would  now  have  an  opportunity 
to  ingratiate  himself  into  Simon's  favor  before  desert 
ing  John. 

Herodion  was  not  captivated  by  John's  speech,  nor 
did  he  view  the  effusiveness  of  Judas  without  suspi 
cion  ;  he  reserved  his  criticisms,  however,  for  the  ear 
of  his  daughter. 

When  he  returned  to  the  house-top  he  saw  the 
combined  forces  of  Simon  and  John  rush  out  of  the 
Temple  and  suddenly  disappear  into  the  valley  of 
Jehoshaphat. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

A   SURPRISE. 

MEANWHILE  the  fifth  legion  was  engaged  in  the 
construction  of  its  camp  north  of  Scopus,  and  Priscus, 
anxious  to  have  the  task  allotted  to  him  and  his  men 
completed  as  soon  as  possible,  strove  to  awaken  a 
spirit  of  rivalry  among  the  workmen. 

"  I  fear  thou  hast  eaten  too  much  breakfast,  my 
Rufus,"  said  he  approaching  an  able-bodied  soldier. 
"  Thou  certainly  wilt  lose  thy  reputation  unless  thou 
dost  work  faster  than  that."  Then  addressing  another 
he  said  :  "  Hast  thou  given  up  the  object  of  thy  ambi 
tion,  my  Publius  ?  Surely  a  man  who  wishes  to  be  a 
decurion  must  prove  himself  worthy  of  promotion." 
Approaching  a  third  he  remarked,  "  Dost  thou  still 
think  that  our  band  is  the  best  in  the  fifth  legion,  my 
Antoninus  ?  Then  we  must  show  our  superiority  in 
action.  Actions  are  better  than  words."  Passing  to 
where  Marcus  stood  he  said  approvingly,  "  Thy  men 
are  doing  well,  my  Marcus.  It  is  a  mystery  to  me 
how  thou  canst  always  get  more  work  out  of  thy  men 
than  any  other  decurion  in  our  cohort,  yea,  I  might 
say  in  our  legion." 

"Reserve  thy  honeyed  words  for  that  charming 


A  Surprise.  187 

Jewess  of  thine,  my  Prisons,"  said  the  decurion, 
"  and  tell  me  how  this  rampart  suits  thee.  Hercle  ! 
this  cursed  stuff  is  as  hard  to  dig  as  those  Jewish  dogs 
are  to  control.  But  hark !  what  is  that  terrible 
noise  ?  " 

The  noise  referred  to  was  so  sudden  and  so  loud, 
even  at  that  distance  from  the  city,  that  the  whole 
legion  turned  its  attention  in  that  direction.  Every 
soldier  stared  in  the  height  of  expectancy ;  but  it 
was  several  minutes  before  the  cause  of  the  noise  was 
discerned.  Then  the  Jews  came  into  view,  rushing 
madly  up  the  slope  of  Mount  Olivet  with  a  tremen 
dous  shout,  and  falling  upon  the  bewildered  Romans 
with  overwhelming  force. 

"  Pluto  take  me  !  "  cried  Marcus  ;  "  if  it  is  not  that 
treacherous  brood  of  Abraham  sallying  forth  upon  the 
camp  of  the  tenth  legion  !  They  are  as  the  stars  in 
number,  and  are  seized  with  the  fury  of  demons ! " 

"  I  fear  they  will  annihilate  the  workmen,  and 
demoralize  the  whole  legion,"  said  Priscus. 

"  By  the  gods,  those  abominable  dogs  are  numerous 
enough  to  swallow  ten  legions,"  continued  Marcus. 

The  attacked  were  now  in  the  greatest  disorder. 
As  they  had  not  the  least  suspicion  of  danger,  they 
had  laid  aside  their  arms  in  order  to  be  more  free  to 
work.  They  were  therefore  wholly  unprepared  to 
defend  themselves.  Some  were  thrust  through  while 
running  to  their  arms ;  others  tried  to  repel  the 
enemy  with  their  tools ;  and  the  rest  were  put  to  the 
greatest  confusion.  The  Jews,  on  the  other  hand, 
encouraged  by  the  panic-stricken  condition  of  the 
Romans,  pushed  forward  in  the  most  unmilitary  man 
ner,  reveling  in  visions  of  immediate  victory  and  the 
complete  destruction  of  the  enemy.  -Occasionally, 
however,  a  number  of  the  pursued  would  rally  to 
gether,  and  turning  upon  their  pursuers  would  cause 
them  to  fall  back  upon  each  other  like  a  pack  of  curs 
when  a  mastiff  suddenly  turns  upon  them.  Then 
overpowered  by  their  antagonists,  they  would  again 
give  way  and  run. 


188  MebekaL 

While  Prisons  was  watching  the  conflict,  lie  re 
ceived  word  to  join  Titus  at  once  with  a  select  band 
of  infantry,  He  obeyed,  and  presently  the  Roman 
general  was  seen  hastening  with  a  small  force  of  foot 
men  and  horsemen  to  the  scene  of  disorder.  These 
tried  soldiers  now  fell  upon  the  Jewish  flank,  while 
Titus  with  a  large  number  of  those  that  had  been  put 
to  flight,  attacked  the  enemy's  front,  driving  them 
down  precipitousty  to  the  valley,  and  slaying  and 
wounding  a  great  many  of  them. 

"  By  the  love-locks  of  Bacchus,  that  excels  the  best 
show  I  ever  saw,"  said  Marcus,  addressing  Priscus, 
while  ascending  the  slope  after  the  pursuit. 

"  It  reminds  me  of  the  herd  of  swine  mentioned  in 
one  of  the  Sacred  Writings  of  the  Christians,  which 
becoming  possessed  with  demons,  fled  precipitously 
down  into  the  sea,"  was  the  reply. 

The  Romans,  forming  themselves  in  battle  array  on 
a  small  plateau,  now  exchanged  missiles  with  the 
Jews  across  the  Kidron.  As  the  latter  were  too  far 
away,  however,  to  do  any  serious  damage,  and  were 
supposed  to  have  had  too  severe  a  repulse  to  renew 
the  attack,  Titus  at  length  sent  all  but  a  few  chosen 
troops  to  continue  the  work  of  fortifying  the  camp. 
But  he  soon  had  reason  to  regret  his  action,  for  the 
cohorts  had  hardly  started  before  he  saw  a  watchman 
on  the  wall  near  the  Temple  vigorously  shaking  his 
garment,  and  while  he  asked  one  of  his  officers  what 
it  meant,  the  seditious  rushed  out  in  great  numbers 
and  with  mighty  force  through  the  eastern  gates.  In 
vain  did  he  charge  his  men  to  maintain  their  position, 
for  the  violence  of  the  Jews  broke  their  ranks  in 
pieces,  and  all,  except  the  general  and  a  few  of  like 
stamp  with  himself,  fled.  Finding  himself  deserted 
in  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  Titus  ignored  the  impor-- 
unity  of  his  few  friends  to  flee  rather  than  endanger 
his  life  by  fighting  as  a  common  soldier,  and  fell  upon: 
those  that  opposed  him  with  all  his  might,  cleaving 
some  almost  in  twain,  thrusting  others  through,  and 
sending  others  rolling  down  the  declivity  into  the 


A  Surprise.  189 

brook  Kidron.  Meanwhile  a  panic  seized  those  who 
were  fortifying  the  camp,  and  they  dispersed  ^in  all 
directions.  Some  of  them,  however,  catching  a 
glimpse  of  Titus  in  the  midst  of  his  enemies,  ceased 
their  flight,  and  reproaching  each  other  for  deserting 
their  general,  they  called  out  to  the  rest  of  the  legion- 
and  ran  together  to  Titus's  rescue.  This  soon  turned 
the  tide  of  battle,  and  the  Jews  were  pushed  with 
such  violence  down  the  acclivity  that  they  fell  in 
large  heaps  upon  each  other  in  the  valley  below.  So 
pugnacious  were  those  that  were  not  seriously  in 
jured,  however,  that  they  ceased  fighting  only  when 
they  reached  the  city  gates. 

After  this  repulse  they  made  no  other  attack  upon 
the  Romans  that  day.  Therefore  Titus  sent  the  work 
men  to  resume  their  work,  while  he  and  those  that 
were  with  him  before  the  assault  guarded  the  slope. 
As  the  cohorts  moved  away,  the  general  looked  in 
the  direction  of  the  Temple,  and  remarked  to  Priscus, 
who  was  standing  near  him, 

"  The  severe  lesson  we  have  taught  those  Jewish 
dogs  will  not  be  easily  forgotten.  Ha,  ha,  how  ridic 
ulous  it  was  to  behold  them  roll  in  such  great 
numbers  into  the  brook." 

"  Ha,  ha,  it  was  so  indeed,  my  lord,"  was  the  cen 
turion's  reply.  "Now  that  your  lordship  is  safe, 
and  order  has  been  restored  I  feel  like  laughing  at 
it." 

"  I  am  not  unmindful,  O  centurion,  of  the  fact  that 
my  safety  is  partly  due  to  thy  valor.  Had  the  tenth 
legion  been  as  disdainful  of  danger  as  thou  and  thy 
faithful  band  our  presence  here  would  have  been  un 
necessary." 

If  Rebekah,  as  she  stood  with  her  father  on  the 
house-top  watching  the  movements  of  the  Romans, 
could  have  heard  these  words,  her  emotions  would 
have  been  more  varied  and  intense  than  they  were. 
But  just  then  she  did  not  even  know  that  the  fifth 
legion  had  any  representatives  among  those  upon 
whom  she  looked.  In  this  respect,  then,  her  case  was 


190  Rebekah. 

less  fortunate  than  that  of  Priscus.  While  he  could 
not  recognize  Rebekah  among  the  great  multitude  of 
spectators  in  the  city,  he  knew  that  she  must  be  on 
one  of  the  house-tops  in  the  Upper  City,  and  the  con 
sciousness  that  her  eyes  were  watching  him  had 
added  much  to  his  strength  and  courage  during  the 
fight.  Even  when  he  answered  Titus's  remark  his 
gaze  was  fixed  on  Mount  Zion.  But  he  strained  his 
e}res  in  vain.  His  longing  to  see  his  betrothed, 
intense  as  it  was,  could  not  quicken  and  enlarge  his 
vision.  He  must  wait  until  the  city  was  taken.  But 
waiting  seemed  far  more  difficult  now  than  it  had 
been.  He  realized  that  the  nearer  he  was  to  the 
object  of  his  love,  the  greater  seemed  his  impatience. 
Then  again,  the  character  of  the  seditious  made  it 
very  uncertain  whether  Rebekah  and  her  father 
should  be  spared  long  enough  to  see  the  city  in  the 
possession  of  the  Romans.  Nor  was  it  certain  that 
he  himself  should  survive  the  siege.  These  and  sim 
ilar  thoughts  frequently  passed  through  his  mind 
the  rest  of  that  day  and  the  days  that  followed.  He 
did  not  allow  them  to  interfere  with  his  duties,  how 
ever.  He  was  anxious  to  retain  the  high  opinion 
which  Titus  had  of  him,  as  well  as  to  gain  possession 
of  his  treasure. 

When  the  tenth  legion  had  completed  the  fortifica 
tion  of  its  camp,  the  select  troops  being  no  longer 
needed  to  guard  the  slope  returned  to  the  legions 
north  of  the  city,  feeling  proud  of  the  assistance  they 
had  rendered  their  distressed  comrades  that  day. 

As  they  left  Olivet,  the  watchmen  on  the  wall 
yearned  to  give  the  signal  for  another  assault ;  but  it 
was  of  no  use.  The  Jews  had  been  too  badly  beaten 
to  venture  out  again  so  soon.  The  lesson  they  had 
learned  had  made  them  but  little  wiser,  however,  as 
we  shall  soon  see. 


Unfavorable  Developments.  191 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


UNFAVORABLE  DEVELOPMENTS. 

THE  morning  after  the  struggle  on  Mount  Olivet 
was  one  of  those  indescribably  beautiful  spring  morn 
ings  so  peculiar  to  the  East,  and  the  prodigious  mul 
titudes  of  Jews  and  proselytes  of  the  gates,  that  had 
come  up  to  the  feast  of  the  passover,  were  astir  long 
ere  the  golden  front  of  the  Temple  caught  the  first 
glances  of  the  sun.  Now  they  watched  the  eastern 
sky  blushing  with  roseate  purple,  and  listened  to  the 
sweet  music  of  the  birds  as  they  united  in  their  song 
of  praise  to  their  Creator  in  the  enchanting  gardens 
surrounding  the  walls  of  the  Holy  City ;  and  anon 
they  glanced  apprehensively  in  the  direction  of  the 
Roman  camps.  Then  suddenly  in  obedience  to  the 
startling  peal  of  a  thousand  silver  trumpets  blown  by 
as  many  priests  from  the  walls  of  the  Temple,  this 
vast  number  of  strangers  mingled  with  the  citizens 
on  the  house-tops,  all  standing  with  their  faces 
towards  the  Holy  Place,  while  the  morning  sun  cast 
its  first  glance  over  the  summit  of  Olivet.  The 
second  peal  of  the  trumpets  brought  every  worshiper 
to  his  knees  and  caused  erery  voice  to  join  in  one 
grand  chorus  of  praise  to  the  Lord  God  of  Israel ; 
and  while  the  smoke  of  the  morning  sacrifice  ascended 
from  the  altar  of  burnt  offerings,  accompanied  by 
the  smoke  of  the  incense,  the  song  of  praise  was 
changed  into  prayer,  the  burden  of  which  that  morn 
ing  was  that  the  Messiah  might  soon  come  to 
deliver  the  nation  from  the  Romans. 

When  the  morning  worship  was  over,  Merto's  wife, 
learning  that  Eleazar  had  thrown  open  the  gates  of 
the  inner  court  to  such  as  wished  to  engage  in 
further  devotions,  it  being  the  feast  of  unleavened 
bread,  hastened  with  many  others  into  the  Temple, 


192  Eebekah. 

As  she  entered  the  Court  of  the  Women  she  little 
thought  that  among  those  who  passed  into  the  Court 
of  the  Israelites  were  many  of  John's  followers  with 
concealed  Aveapons  under  their  garments.  Yet  such 
was  the  fact ;  and  as  these  at  a  favorable  moment 
threw  off  their  disguise  preparatory  to  an  attack  upon 
Eleazar  and  his  party,  she  was  startled  by  a  sudden 
commotion,  and  immediately  after  she  saw  the  latter 
scattering  in  all  directions  in  search  of  the  caverns 
under  the  Temple.  Then  a  reign  of  terror  com 
menced.  In  common  with  the  other  women  she 
rushed  for  the  Beautiful  Gate,  while  the  men  in  the 
other  court  also  made  a  simultaneous  attempt  to 
escape,  and  all  fell  in  heaps  upon  each  other,  caus 
ing  agony  and  death  in  every  direction.  John's  fol 
lowers  also,  in  their  disappointment  at  the  escape  of 
Eleazar  and  his  men,  increased  the  panic  by  slaying 
not  a  few. 

"  Get  off  from  me,  ye  idiots,"  cried  Merto's  wife, 
struggling  to  rise  from  under  a  heap  of  women. 
"  Holy  Abraham !  I  am  smothering  to  death !  O 
Judas,  my  son,  I  shall  never  see  thee  again  !  Let  me 
rise,  ye  accursed  fools,  let  me  rise." 

Although  she  suffered  much  while  in  her  smother 
ing  condition,  she  was  not  so  seriously  injured  as 
many  of  the  others,  for  when  she  found  herself  free 
from  the  press  she  walked  home  without  assistance, 
but  not  in  a  very  amiable  frame  of  mind.  Although 
none  had  been  more  anxious  to  run  away  from  the  scene 
of  disorder  and  death  than  herself,  she  attached  all 
the  blame  connected  with  the  panic  to  the  other 
women,  especially  those  who  in  their  trepidation  had 
fallen  upon  her.  John  also  came  in  for  his  share  of 
criticism  for  his  treachery ;  yet  when  Rebekah  and 
her  father  dared  to  show  their  disapprobation  of  his 
character,  she  began  to  defend  him,  calling  him  the 
elect  of  God  and  the  saviour  of  the  people.  She  was 
in  a  better  mood,  however,  when  Judas  after  a  longer 
absence  than  usual,  paid  her  a  visit. 

"  Ah  !  I  am  very  glad  to  see  thee  well,  my  son," 


Unfavorable  Developments.  193 

.said  she,  kissing  him.  Then  as  he  seated  himself  be 
side  her-,  she  added,  "  I  have  not  seen  tliee  for  three 
days.  Had  I  not  been  assured  of  thy  safety  by  the 
message  thou  didst  send  me,  I  would  surely  have 
thought  thou  hadst  been  slain  by  the  Romans." 

"  Ha,  ha,  the  uncircumcised  dogs  would  rejoice  to 
see  me  dead ;  but  the  God  of  our  fathers  is  not  yet 
weary  of  my  service,"  said  Judas,  boastingly,  "nor 
am  I  so  weary  of  life  as  to  be  specially  anxious  to 
leave  it,"  he  added  with  a  grin. 

"  Ye  did  well  to  chastise  the  audacity  of  the  en 
emy.  Ha,  ha,  ha,  my  heart  rejoiced  to  see  Israel  pre 
vail  and  the  oppressor  put  to  confusion.  But  ye 
acted  not  wisely,  my  son,  to  let  the  dogs  of  Rome 
drive  you  like  frightened  sheep  into  the  Kidron." 

"  Condemn  us  not,  mother,"  said  Judas,  "  our  de 
feat  was  but  another  lesson  in  God's  dealings  with 
us.  Our  final  triumph  will  be  the  greater  for  it. 
Besides,  our  enemies  have  received  from  our  hands 
double  for  all  we  suffered  on  that  day." 

"How,  my  son?"  said  the  mother  with  a  puzzled 
look.  "  It  cannot  be  that  ye  have  made  another 
sally  upon  the  Romans ;  for  I  have  neither  seen  nor 
heard  aught  but  John's  attack  upon  the  Inner  Court." 

"  And  thou  didst  come  near  seeing  too  much  of 
that,"  said  Judas,  interrupting  her. 

"  Ah  !  then  thou  knowest  all  about  it.  If  thou 
kneAvest  I  was  there,  why  didst  thou  not  come  to  my 
assistance  ?  "  said  she  reproachfully. 

"  I  was  not  there,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Thou  wast  not  there  !  Then  thou  hast  deserted 
the  tyrant  ?  "  said  she  while  a  glow  of  pleasure  came 
to  her  cheek. 

"  Ay ;  the  night  before  the  feast  began  Simon 
made  me  one  of  his  commanders,"  said  he,  with  no 
small  degree  of  pride. 

The  opportunity  for  which  he  had  so  long  waited 
had  at  last  arrived.  Simon,  who  was  pleased  no 
less  with  his  unscrupulous  character  than  with  his 
courage  and  skill  as  a  soldier,  had  appointed  him 


194  Eebekah. 

to  fill  a  vacancy  made  by  the  death  of  one  of  the 
commanders  in  one  of  the  attacks  on  Mount  Olivet. 
Although  when  he  entered  the  city  Simon's  army 
was  entirely  composed  of  Idumeans,  he  now  had  ten 
thousand  others,  who  were  Jews  in  blood  as  well  as 
in  name,  under  his  supreme  command.  Over  the 
latter  were  fifty  commanders  ;  and  it  was  to  the  place 
of  one  of  these  that  Judas  had  been  appointed.  It 
made  no  difference  to  Simon  that  this  appointment 
was  regarded  with  dissatisfaction  by  some  of  the  sub 
ordinates.  His  will  was  law.  Nor  did  Judas's  moth 
er  think  for  a  moment  when  she  learned  of  her  son's 
promotion  that  there  might  be  others  more  worthy  of 
the  position. 

"  Blessed  be  the  God  of  our  father  Abraham,"  said 
she.  "  Now  we  shall  dwell  in  safety,  seeing  that  the 
Upper  City  is  in  the  hands  of  Simon,  and  that  thou 
hast  favor  in  his  eyes.  Thou  art  wise,  my  son,  and 
discreet  beyond  thy  years.  In  this  my  heart  rejoices. 
Would  that  thou  wert  as  loving  as  thou  art  wise  !  " 

"Loving!  wherein  has  my  love  f ailed, .  mother ?" 
asked  Judas  with  surprise. 

"  Thou  didst  not  eat  the  Passover  with  us,  as  has 
been  thy  custom  from  a  child." 

"  But  I  ate  it  with  Simon  according  to  his  request. 
Had  I  refused  to  partake  with  him,  he  would  doubt 
less  have  been  offended." 

"  Hadst  thou  excused  thyself,  my  son,  he  surely 
would  have  given  thee  leave  to  eat  the  Passover  with 
us,  since  according  to  a  long  established  custom  of 
our  family,  the  children  should  partake  of  the  feast 
with  their  parents,  unless  they  be  declared  unclean, 
or  are  on  a  journey." 

"  Enough  of  this,  mother  ;  now  let  me  tell  thee  of 
the  victory  we  gained  this  evening." 

"  Victory  !  and  this  evening  !  It  cannot  be,  for  I 
have  heard  nothing.  But  go  on.  Tell  me  of  a  thou 
sand  victories,  if  thou  wilt ;  my  ears  will  never  tire 
of  listening,  if  they  be  Israel's  victories." 

"  Thou  knowest  that  the  accursed  heathen  have  of 


Unfavorable  Developments.  195 

late  been  engaged  in  leveling  the  ground  all  the  way 
from  Scopus  to  Herod's  monuments." 

"  I  am  neither  blind  nor  indifferent,  my  son.  Ah ! 
with  what  pain  have  I  watched  them  cut  down  the 
hedges  around  the  gardens,  together  with  the  fruit 
trees;  and  demolish  the  walls  which  our  fathers 
built." 

"  No  true  Israelite  could  have  witnessed  such  wan 
ton  destruction  with  pleasure,  mother ;  yet  we  could 
do  nothing  to  hinder  it  at  first.  The  enemy  was  too 
watchful.  At  last,  however,  I  bethought  me  of  a 
stratagem,  which  Simon  commanded  me  to  put  into 
immediate  effect.  Leading  a  select  band  near  the 
Towers  of  the  Women,  I  sought  to  fan  the  sparks  of 
patriotism  which  I  knew  must  be  in  their  hearts  into 
a  flame  with  a  speech." 

"  A  speech,  my  son !  thou  deliver  a  speech ! 
Would  I  had  heard  it  1  " 

"  Ah  !  thou  art  amazed.  It  was  a  great  speech,  I 
can  assure  thee,  if  I  may  judge  it  by  the  results. 
Seeing  that  the  men  were  anxious  to  fall  upon  the 
enemy,  I  caused  a  few  of  them  to  rush  outside  the 
gate,  while  I  and  the  rest  ascended  to  the  wall. 
Those  without  the  wall  then  feigned  that  they  had 
been  ejected,  and  begged  to  be  admitted  into  the 
city,  pretending  to  be  in  great  fear  of  the  Romans 
and  of  us ;  and  in  order  to  make  the  feint  appear 
more  real,  we  hurled  stones  at  them  and  implored 
the  enemy  to  come  to  our  relief  against  the  sedi 
tious." 

"  Ha,  ha,  good  I  very  good,  my  son." 

"  Some  of  the  silly  dogs  believing  us  to  be  in  earn 
est,"  continued  Judas  exultingly,  "became  impa 
tient,  and  broke  forth  from  the  ranks  contrary  to 
their  commander's  orders.  But,  ha,  ha,  they  soon 
regretted  their  folly ;  for  they  had  no  sooner  reached 
the  gate  than  those  whom  they  were  pursuing  sur 
rounded  them  and  furiously  attacked  them,  while  we 
threw  darts  and  stones  upon  them  from  the  wall, 
slaying  not  a  few  and  wounding  a  great  many." 


196  Rebekah. 

"  The  God  of  Israel  be  praised ! "  exclaimed  the 
elated  mother.  "  But  why  did  ye  not  slay  them 
all  ?  " 

"  There  thou  art  again ;  thou  art  never  satisfied 
with  what  is  done,  but  art  always  finding  fault. 
Hadst  thou  seen  with  what  infinite  shame  the  surviv 
ors  slunk  back  into  the  ranks,  and  with  what  exulta 
tion  we  celebrated  our  victory,  thou  wouldst  have 
praise  and  not  censure  for  us." 

"  Thou  must  excuse  me,  my  son,  if  my  zeal  for 
our  common  cause  makes  me  appear  too  critical. 
Thou  knowest  that  the  welfare  of  Israel  is  more 
than  food  and  drink  to  me,  and  the  utter  destruction 
of  our  enemies  is  the  burden  of  my  daily  prayer." 

"Zeal,  then,  like  charity,  shall  cover  a  thousand 
faults  like  thine,  mother ;  and  I  would  that  there 
were  many  more  in  Israel  who  were  possessed  with 
such  holy  enthusiasm.  I  despise  those  idiots  that  are 
always  sympathizing  with  Rome." 

The  conversation  was  now  brought  to  a  close,  and 
Judas  passed  out  of  the  room.  In  the  passage  he 
was  met  by  Adah,  Herodion's  servant,  who  having 
seen  him  arrive,  had  stationed  herself  there  to  await 
the  usual  interview.  She  served  him  with  the  devo 
tion  of  a  dog,  while  he  had  for  her  only  the  respect 
due  a  dog.  In  his  interviews  with  her,  however, 
he  was  shrewd  enough  to  conceal  the  true  state  of 
his  feelings. 

"  Ah !  peace  to  thee,  Adah,"  whispered  Judas,  as 
the  two  met. 

"  And  to  my  lord  be  peace,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Are  thy  master  and  his  daughter  well  ?  " 

"  Well,  but  not  happy." 

"  What  is  the  nature  of  their  complaint  ?  " 

"  They  still  think  they  are  too  closely  watched,  and 
that  my  lord  is  everything  but  a  saint." 

"  Indeed !  ha,  ha.  Do  they  still  worship  that  Roman 
dog?" 

"  The  name  of  God  is  far  less  frequent  on  their 
tongues  than  his  unholy  name." 


Unfavorable  Developments.  197 

Judas  frowned  and  bit  his  lips ;  then  asked, 

"  Has  thy  mistress  heard  from — from  the  Roman 
since  I  saw  thee  before  ?  " 

"  My  master  brought  her  a  letter  yesterday." 

"  Dost  thou  know  how  it  came  to  his  hands  ?  Did 
no  one  follow  him  ?  " 

"  Micah  followed  him  ;  my  lord  would  do  well  to 
ask  him  whence  came  the  letter." 

"  Didst  thou  hear  the  letter  read?  " 

"  I  heard,  but  could  not  understand.  My  lord  for 
gets  that  the  Romans  use  not  our  tongue." 

"  Then  didst  thou  not  learn  ought  that  was  in  the 
letter  by  their  conversation  ?  " 

"  Naught,  my  lord,  except  that  the  Romans  hope  to 
take  the  city  soon." 

"The  hope  of  the.  wicked  shall  perish.  But  do 
thy  master  and  his  daughter  rejoice  in  this  vain 
hope  ?  " 

"  I  know  not,  my  lord,  for  they  speak  not  their 
minds  freely  to  each  other  except  in  whispers.  But 
they  seem  to  rejoice." 

"  I  care  not  what  they  seem  ;  it  is  what  they  say 
and  do  that  interests  me.  Where  is  thy  mistress 
now?" 

"  On  the  house-top,  where  she  spends  most  of  her 
time  of  late,  watching  the  Romans.  She  ascended 
there  soon  after  my  lord's  arrival." 

"Is  she  alone?" 

"  No,  my  lord,  she  is  accompanied  by  her  father. 
She  is  seldom  alone  since  the  Idumeans  plundered 
the  clothes  bazaar." 

Adah  could  not  have  spoken  words  that  would 
grate  more  harshly  on  Judas's  feelings  than  these  had 
she  desired.  He  had  hoped  to  find  his  cousin  alone, 
thinking  that  by  some  word  or  chance  he  might  per 
suade  her  to  abandon  Priscus  and  accept  him  as  her 
suitor,  although  she  had  already  more  than  once  made 
him  to  understand  that  all  his  pleadings  and  threats 
were  ineffectual.  He  did  not  try  to  conceal  his  dis 
appointment,  supposing  that  the  passage  was  too  dark 


198  Rebekah. 

for  Aclah  to  see  his  face.  In  this,  however,  he  was 
mistaken,  for  his  position  enabled  her  keen  eye  to 
catch  every  expression  on  his  face,  and  his  disap 
pointment  gave  her  secret  pleasure.  Although  she 
called  him  lord,  as  was  the  custom  of  inferiors  when 
addressing  their  superiors,  she  loved  him  as  though 
lie  was  her  lover,  and  was  extremely  jealous  of  his 
attentions  to  Rebekah.  Judas  was  too  absorbed  in 
his  own  schemes,  however,  to  discover  these  facts, 
and  he  dismissed  her  much  sooner  than  she  desired. 

A  moment  later  Rebekah  and  her  father  heard  his 
unwelcome  step  on  the  roof  as  they  were  about  to  de 
scend  to  the  house,  and  prepared  themselves  as  best 
they  could  for  a  disagreeable  interview. 

"It  is  a  most  delightful  night;  the  moon  never 
shone  brighter,"  said  Judas,  after  the  usual  exchange 
of  greetings,  while  a  forced  smile  spread  over  his 
face. 

"  The  night  is  indeed  beautiful.  Would  that  our 
surroundings  were  as  pleasant !  "  said  Herodion  in  a 
restrained  voice. 

"  Ah !  surely  thou  dost  not  think  the  Holy  City  de 
void  of  beauty  !  "  ejaculated  Judas.  "  Consider  the 
magnificent  palaces  which  adorn  her  sacred  hills,  and 
the  loft}^  towers  which  guard  her  walls  and  streets. 
Mark  well  the  Temple  of  the  Living  God.  Was  there 
ever  aught  half  so  divinely  beautiful  and  grand  ?  See 
how  its  white  marble  terraces  and  gilded  roof  glitter 
in  the  moonlight !  Truly  has  the  Psalmist  said,  4  Out 
of  Zion,  the  perfection  of  beauty,  God  hath  shined.' " 

"  I  spoke  not  of  buildings,  but  of  men,"  answered 
Herodion.  "  Men  who  have  caused  the  Shekinah  to 
depart  from  the  Holy  Place  ;  men  who  have  made  the 
House  of  God  a  den  of  robbers  and  a  place  of  execu 
tion  ;  men  whose  hearts  are  rotten  with  corruption, 
n.nd  whose  hands  are  red  with  innocent  blood;  men 
whom  passion  rules  and  lust  incites;  men  who  exer 
cise  a  tyranny  a  thousandfold  greater  than  that  of 
Rome.  Of  such  I  speak,  and  from  such  may  God 
deliver  us." 


Unfavorable  Developments.  199 

While  listening  to  these  words,  Judas  felt  almost 
an  irresistible  desire  to  give  Herodion  a  push  that 
would  land  him  on  the  pavement  below,  and  Rebekah 
fearing  that  he  might  do  this,  nestled  closer  to  her 
father.  After  a  hard  inward  struggle,  however,  Judas 
suppressed  his  murderous  desire,  and  answered  in  a 
hoarse  voice, 

"  It  is  well  for  thee  that  thy  words  have  not  fallen 
on  hostile  ears ;  otherwise  the  wagging  of  thy  tongue 
might  cost  thee  thy  head.  Let  me  counsel  thee  not 
to  speak  thy  mind  so  freely." 

"  Ah  !  then  thou  wouldst  fetter  our  tongues  as 
thou  dost  our  movements,"  said  Rebekah. 

"  How  long  will  ye  persist  in  misjudging  me  ?  Be 
cause  I  guard  you  from  your  enemies,  ye  say  I  sur 
round  you  with  spies,  and  because  I  seek  your  happi 
ness,  ye  denounce  me  as  the  destroyer  of  your 
peace." 

Thus  Judas  still  tried  to  persuade  them  that  he 
was  their  benefactor.  But  they  were  not  so  blind  as 
he  hoped  they  were.  Their  sharp  eyes  had  pene 
trated  the  veil  of  his  hypocrisy  long  ago.  Thinking 
it  best  not  to  argue  further  with  him,  however,  they 
made  no  answer  to  his  last  remark,  but  pretending 
that  it  was  too  chilly  to  remain  longer  on  the  house 
top,  Rebekah  suggested  to  her  father  that  they  had 
better  descend  to  the  house,  which  they  did  at  once, 
followed  to  the  veranda  by  Judas,  who  continued  his 
way  to  his  father's  house  in  a  rage. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

FORCE   TRIUMPHS    OVER   RESISTANCE. 

NOT  long  after  Judas's  visit  to  his  mother,  Priscus 
was  hastening  to  his  quarter  from  the  tribune's  tent, 
when  he  was  accosted  by  Caius,  the  surgeon,  who 
was  just  coining  out  of  the  hospital. 

"How  dost  thou  like  our  new  camp,  my  Priscus?" 
said  the  surgeon. 


200  RebeJcaL 

"  Much  better  than  I  did  the  other.  It  is  far  more 
pleasantly  situated,  being  not  only  nearer  the  city, 
but  also  free  from  the  obstructions  which  spoiled  our 
view  north  of  Scopus.  Its  construction  lias  been  far 
more  difficult  than  the  other,  however,  011  account  of 
the  violent  attacks  of  the  seditious.  The  removal  of 
our  baggage  and  supplies  also  has  cost  us  no  little 
labor." 

"  Caesar  did  wisely  to  arrange  the  legions  so  com 
pactly  together  along  that  north-western  wall.  I 
never  saw  a  column  thirteen  deep  before.  Hercle ! 
with  those  three  ranks  of  footmen  in  front,  and  those 
seven  ranks  of  archers  in  the  middle,  and  those  three 
ranks  of  horsemen  in  the  rear  our  most  noble  general 
could  defy  an  army  of  the  gods  I  " 

"  Would  that  such  an  arrangement  of  the  army 
had  been  practicable  during  the  construction  of  the 
banks.  It  would  have  spared  us  much  trouble  and 
annoyance.  The  treacherous  horde  never  miss  an 
opportunity  to  hinder  the  progress  of  the  work." 

"When  will  the  banks  be  completed?" 

"Two  are  already  finished,  and  the  other  will  be 
soon.  Work  has  been  commenced  also  on  two  of  the 
towers,  and  the  other  will  be  built  as  soon  as  the 
third  bank  is  ready." 

"  To-morrow,  then,  we  may  expect  to  see  the 
seditious  kept  at  a  respectful  distance  by  the  archers 
and  the  lighter  engines." 

"  Ay  ;  and  if  I  mistake  not,  old  Nico  will  soon  make 
a  breach  in  that  outer  wall.  I  have  more  faith  in  old 
Nico  than  in  any  of  the  other  battering-rams." 

Priscus  was  right.  This  monster  engine  of  war  in 
due  time  opened  a  way  for  the  army  to  go  through, 
and  Titus  removed  the  fifth  and  fifteenth  legions  to 
the  place  called  the  Camp  of  the  Assyrians,  between 
the  second  and  third  walls.  Then,  preparatory  to  the 
further  execution  of  his  plans,  he  planted  the  army 
along  the  second  wall,  but  at  a  short  distance  from 
it. 

While  in  this  position,  Priscus,  whose  band  oc- 


Force  Triumphs  Over  Resistance.  201 

cupied  a  prominent  spot  northeast  of  the  Damascus 
gate,  turned  to  Marcus,  and  speaking  in  an  under 
tone,  said  with  a  yawn  : 

"  Wouldst  thou  believe  it,  my  Marcus  ;  I  feel  as 
though  I  needed  props  to  keep  my  eyes  open." 

"  Pluto  !  I  feel  as  drowsy  as  if  I  had  not  slept  for 
a  month,  and  as  stiff  as  a  battering-ram  that  has  not 
seen  oil  for  a  whole  year,"  said  Marcus,  also  yawning. 

"I  wonder  how  many  more  nights  we  shall  be 
obliged  to  lie  in  our  armor.  The  cunning  knaves 
have  kept  us  busy  enough  for  the  last  four  days." 

"  Hercle !  there  seems  to  be  no  end  to  their  sallies. 
Were  they  as  skillful  and  orderly  as  they  are  bold, 
they  might  give  us  far  more  trouble.  But  ha,  ha,  a 
suckling  babe  knows  as  much  as  they  about  the  art 
of  war.  Didst  thou  see  them,  my  Prisons,  trying  to 
obstruct  the  building  of  our  banks  with  the  engines 
captured  from  Cestius  and  the  garrison  of  Antonia? 
Ha,  ha,  as  I  watched  them  from  the  camp  they  re 
minded  me  of  a  group  of  women  competing  for  a 
prize  in  throwing  stones." 

"  Their  awkward  movements  certainly  were  far 
more  amusing  than  terrible.  But  tell  me,  my  Mar 
cus,  of  what  did  they  remind  thee  when  they  sallied 
forth  upon  our  works  and  our  camp?"  said  Priscus, 
with  a  mischievous  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"  Gods !  they  gave  us  no  time  to  think  then.  The 
villains  came  upon  us  like  a  pack  of  demons  com 
missioned  by  Pluto  to  exterminate  our  army.  The 
torches  in  their  hands  were  but  the  type  of  the 
diabolical  hatred  that  burned  in  their  hearts  and 
heated  their  passions  into  madness.  Perpol  !  they 
would  have  been  more  than  a  match  for  our  boasted 
legions  had  not  those  fellows  lately  come  from  Alex 
andria  surpassed  themselves  in  bravery,  and  had  not 
Titus  himself  come  to  our  rescue  with  the  best  of  his 
horsemen." 

"  Our  discomfiture  on  that  occasion  was  equalled 
only  by  our  consternation  when  that  tower  fell.  Ha, 
ha,  I  can  laugh  at  it  now,  but  it  was  a  serious  matter 


202  Rebekah. 

the  11.  I  was  dreaming  about — no  matter  about  what  - 
when  a  terrible  crash  dispelled  my  pleasant  illusion, 
and  an  awful  sense  of  danger  brought  me  to  my  feet ; 
and  as  I  hastened  to  put  my  armor  on,  Publius  and  a 
few  others,  half  naked  and  half  frantic  with  fear, 
rushed  to  my  tent,  exclaiming  that  the  camp  was 
being  annihilated  by  the  enemy.  Poor  wretches! 
their  fright  was  hardly  greater  than  my  own;  but 
being  their  commander  I  was  compelled  to  make  a 
show  of  courage,  and  I  ordered  them  to  seek  their 
armor  and  their  arms  at  once.  They  obeyed,  and  as 
they  hurried  to  their  tents  there  was  a  general  uproar 
in  the  camp.  Then,  as  thou  knowest,  came  word  from 
Titus,  acquainting  us  with  the  real  nature  of  the 
noise  we  had  heard.  Ah !  it  came  none  too  soon. 
Though  I  consider  nothing  more  despicable  than  a 
coward ;  yet  I  surely  felt  like  one  before  I  knew  that 
the  falling  of  one  of  the  towers  we  had  built  was  the 
cause  of  our  consternation.  Nor  could  I  forgive  my 
self  for  yielding  to  such  weakness,  for  long  after 
order  was  restored  I  lay  upbraiding  myself  in  mv 
tent." 

"Perpol!  hadst  thou  undertaken  to  describe  my 
experience  instead  of  thine  own,  thou  couldst  not 
find  words  more  fitting  to  my  case.  Pluto  take  me, 
if  I  have  ever  turned  my  back  to  the  foe ;  yet  I  must 
confess  that  I  felt  like  acting  the  coward  that  night. 
Of  all  the  horrible  scenes  that  haunt  the  thoughts  of 
man,  the  most  terrible  rushed  through  my  mind  on 
that  fearful  occasion.  As  I  sought  to  execute  thy 
command,  my  fear  called  every  friend  I  met  a  foe, 
and  my  imagination  converted  even  the  sound  of  my 
own  feet  into  hostile  steps.  By  Jupiter,  I  had  rather 
fight  a  thousand  battles  than  pass  through  the  awful 
experience  of  that  night  again." 

44  Have  thyself  in  readiness,  then  ^  for,  if  I  mistake 
not  that  move,  thou  shalt  have  an  opportunity  to  fight 
one  of  the  thousand  battles  now !  " 

As  Prise  us  spoke,  the  united  forces  of  Simon  and 
Job  n,  having  been  compelled  once  more  by  the  pressure 


Force  Triumphs  Over  Resistance.  203 

of  circumstances  to  form  a  sort  of  alliance,  rushed 
out  of  the  Damascus  gate  with  great  violence  in  the 
direction  of  the  enemy  ;  but  the  Romans  poured  such 
terrible  showers  of  darts  and  stones  upon  them  that 
they  bent  like  reeds  before  the  wind,  and  fell  back 
upon  each  other  in  the  greatest  confusion.  In  vain 
did  they  try  to  re-form  until  they  reached  the  shelter 
of  the  wall,  and  the  course  of  their  precipitous  retreat 
was  marked  by  ghastly  figures  not  a  few.  When  they 
appeared  outside  the  gate  again  it  was  to  form  them 
selves  into  battle  array  along  nearly  the  whole  length 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  wall.  Here  for  a  long 
time  they  received  and  returned  the  missiles  of  the 
Romans,  with  no  otlier  purpose  than  to  provoke  the 
enemy  into  a  fierce  engagement.  Their  boldness  was 
exceeded  only  by  their  madness.  Every  one  of  them 
seemed  to  be  the  very  embodiment  of  malignity  and 
foolhardiness,  and  every  longing  was  absorbed  in  the 
one  ruling  desire  of  doing  mischief  to  the  Romans. 
Realizing  this  fact,  Titus  deemed  it  wise  to  exercise 
patience  in  the  execution  of  his  plans,  rather  than  en 
danger  the  lives  of  his  men  by  yielding  to  the  provo 
cations  of  such  desperate  characters  as  those  now 
before  him.  He  gave  permission,  however,  to  such  of 
his  men  as  wished  to  distinguish  themselves  by  indi 
vidual  attacks  upon  the  Jews,  to  gratify  that  wish. 
But  it  was  a  long  time  before  anyone  availed  himself 
of  this  privilege. 

At  length  one  Longinus,  a  soldier  of  the  equestrian 
order,  forcing  himself  from  the  rear  through  the  ranks 
near  the  spot  where  Priscus  stood,  ran  towards  the 
Je\vs  and  leaped  in  among  them,  while  the  whole  Ro 
man  army,  as  far  as  could  be  seen,  watched  him  with 
that  intense  interest  which  marked  the  thousands 
that  witnessed  the  gladiatorial  shows  at  Rome. 

As  he  cleared  the  open  space  between  the  two 
jinnies,  Priscus  turned  to  his  favorite  decurion,  who 
stood  in  the  front  rank  at  the  right  of  the  company, 
and  said :  * 


204  llebekali. 

"  Now,  my  Marcus,  we  shall  have  a  pleasant  diver 
sion." 

"  Ay,"  was  the  reply.  "  Hercle  !  he  is  a  brave  fel 
low.  See  !  see  !  he  leaps  upon  them  like  a  lion  upon 
his  prey,  and  they  are  scattered  before  him  like  chaff 
before  the  wind ! — No,  there  is  one  who  dares  to  face 
him. — Be  careful  of  thy  head,  thou  son  of  Abraham, 
or —  By  all  the  Jupiters  !  Longinus  has  sent  a  dart 
clear  through  his  speaking  machine,  and  has  opened 
another  mouth  for  him  back  of  his  neck ! — Quick,  O 
brave  Roman,  there  comes  another.  See  to  thyself  ! 
Why  pluck  that  dart  from  its  human  sheath  ?  Rome 
is  not  so  poor  but  that  it  can  furnish  a  million  more. 
— Gods !  he  thrusts  that  boaster  through  with  the 
dart  that  slew  the  other! — Ah  !  now  lie  is  satisfied — 
make  room  for  him — let  the  hero  pass  I  " 

There  were  but  fe\v  who  heard  these  words,  for 
every  movement  of  the  Roman  knight  was  greeted 
with  deafening  applause  from  his  comrades.  Even 
Titus  watched  him  with  absorbing  interest,  and  when 
he  returned  to  his  place  the  general  highly  com 
mended  him  for  his  heroic  behavior.  He  refused  just 
then,  however,  to  give  others  permission  to  display  their 
valor,  for  he  desired  to  drive  the  Jews  back  into  the 
city,  that  he  might  attack  the  second  wall.  There 
fore,  he  commanded  that  the  archers,  slingers,  and  the 
machines  make  a  combined  assault  upon  them,  and 
for  the  next  half  hour  the  missiles  flew  so  thick  that 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  see  the  wall.  No  human 
endurance  could  stand  these  deadly  showers  long, 
and  the  Jews  endured  them  much  longer  than  they 
would  have  done  under  other  circumstances.  But  at 
last  they  gave  way  and  sought  the  protection  of  the 
city,  and  the  Romans,  bringing  their  battering-rams 
against  the  middle  tower  of  the  wall,  soon  gained  an 
entrance  into  another  part  of  the  city. 

During  this  attack  upon  the  second  wall,  an  inter 
esting  incident  occurred,  which  we  will  give  in  the 
words  of  Prisons  in  a  letter  to  his  father.  Among 
other  things,  he  said  : 


Force  Triumphs  Over  Resistance.  205 

"  At  tliis  juncture,  one  Castor,  a  Jew,  who,  to 
gether  with  ten  others,  had  concealed  himself  in  the 
tower,  begged  to  have  an  interview  with  Csesar,  and 
he,  believing  him  and  his  companions  to  have  been 
sent  to  sue  for  peace,  caused  all  hostile  demonstra 
tions  to  cease  at  that  part  of  the  wall  where  the  peti 
tioners  stood.  Then,  with  that  caution  which  he 
sometimes  displays,  he  approached  near  enough  to 
the  tower  to-be  heard,  and  commanded  Castor  to 
make  known  his  request. 

"  The  Jew  made  a  low  bow,  and  applying  to  him 
the  title  by  which  he  is  generally  known  by  our  army, 
he  exclaimed, 

"  4 1  am  not  ignorant,  O  Caesar,  of  the  fact  that 
God  lias  delivered  us  into  thy  hands,  and  that  our 
courage  as  well  as  these  walls  must  give  way  before 
thee.  Hence  if  tliou  wilt  give  me  the  security  of  thy 
right  hand  I  will  come  down  and  surrender  myself  to 
thee.' 

"  Although  somewhat  disappointed  at  the  nature 
of  the  request,  Titus  replied, 

" '  Thy  words  give  me  no  little  pleasure,  and  thy 
desire  shall  not  be  in  vain.  The  security  I  offer  thee 
shall  be  given  to  the  whole  city  also  if  it  be  desired ; 
for  although  God  has  delivered  you  into  our  hands  to 
be  punished,  not  a  hair  of  thy  people's  heads  shall  be 
injured  if  they  will  this  clay  follow  thy  example. 
Otherwise  I  will  give  no  promise  of  security.' 

"  Castor  bowed  again ;  then  by  the  permission  of 
Titus  he  turned  towards  his  companions,  and  while 
he  appeared  to  us  to  be  earnestly  pleading  with  them, 
he  was  really  instructing  them  how  to  enact  their 
parts,  and  telling  a  messenger  that  was  hid  from  our 
view  to  inform  Simon  that  the  Romans  should  be  de 
luded  long  enough  to  give  him  ample  time  for  con 
sultation.  While  he  was  talking,  his  companions  pre 
tended  to  be  quarreling  among  themselves,  and  to  be 
equally  divided  in  their  opinions.  Five  of  them 
begged  for  mercy,  while  the  others,  crying  out  that 
death  was  far  preferable  to  Roman  bondage,  smote 


206  Relekah. 

their  own  breasts  with  their  swords  and  fell  down  out 
of  sight,  feigning  suicide.  This  cunning  farce  was 
looked  upon  by  Csesar  and  most  of  the  army  with  ad 
miration  ;  but  a  few  who  had  better  knowledge  of 
the  Jewish  character  took  it  for  what  it  really  was. 
One  of  the  latter,  to  the  great  amusement  of  those 
who  were  of  his,  opinion  shot  an  arrow  at  Castor  as 
he  faced  the  army  again,  and  wounded  him  in  his 
nose.  This  was  entirely  unexpected  to  the  Jew ;  still 
with  marvelous  self-possession  he  plucked  the  arrow 
out,  and  holding  it  up  to  Titus's  view,  exclaimed, 

" c  Is  it  fair,  O  Csesar,  to  treat  those  to  whom  thou 
hast  promised  security  thus  ? ' 

"The  general  made  no  reply,  but  reproved  the 
archer  for  his  rashness.  Then  turning  to  Josephus, 
who,  with  several  of  the  commanders,  stood  beside 
him,  he  desired  him  to  go  and  give  a  pledge  of  security 
to  Castor.  Being  a  wily  Jew  himself,  however,  and 
being  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  tricks  of  his 
fellow  countrymen,  Josephus  wisely  declined,  telling 
the  general  that  Castor  and  his  companions  contem 
plated  only  mischief,  and  advising  those  who  seemed 
disposed  to  go  to  stay  where  they  were.  Noticing 
this  hesitancy  on  our  part,  the  wily  Jew  again 
exclaimed, 

" c  Dost  thou,  O  Csesar,  doubt  my  sincerity  ?  Then 
send  some  one  to  receive  the  money  which  I  have 
with  me,  that  thou  mayest  know  that  I  am  no 
dissembler.' 

"  Upon  hearing  this  a  deserter,  who  had  already 
expressed  his  willingness  to  go,  ran  towards  the  tower 
closely  followed  by  another  soldier ;  but  as  soon  as 
they  came  within  the  reach  of  Castor,  he  seized  a 
large  stone  and  threw  it  at  the  deserter,  but  it  missed 
him  and  struck  the  other.  Then  the  dissemblers 
gave  a  triumphant  yell;  and  setting  the  tower  on  fire, 
they  leaped  out  of  sight,  while  the  battering-rams  at 
tacked  the  wall  more  vigorously  than  ever.  Many  of 
us  thinking  that  they  had  jumped  into  the  flames, 
greatly  admired  their  courage ;  while  they,  not  a 


Force  Triumphs  Over  Resistance.  207 

little  elated  over  their  success,  escaped  into  the  city 
through  an  underground  passage. 

"  Their  stratagem  delayed  us  only  a  short  time, 
however,  and  they  had  scarcely  reached  the  rest  of 
the  army  before  a  fearful  crash  and  a  triumphant 
shout  announced  to  the  anxious  multitudes  on  the 
house-tops  that  the  second  wall  was  breached,  and 
the  whole  city  for  a  season  was  seized  with  conster 
nation.  So  great  was  the  terror  of  those  who  lived 
in  that  portion  of  the  city  that  lies  between  the 
broken  wall  and  the  one  remaining  that  they  were 
utterly  demoralized.  Instead  of  seeking  the  protec 
tion  of  the  Upper  City,  they  embraced  each  other  in 
the  agony  of  despair,  thinking  that  we  would  retaliate 
for  the  deceit  just  practiced  upon  us,  by  slaying  the 
innocent  with  the  guilty.  The  warlike  portion  of  the 
people,  however,  recovered  their  self-possession  in  time 
to  repel  an  attack  of  ours  on  the  Tower  City ;  and  as 
they  drove  us  out  through  the  breach,  they  rent  the 
air  with  the  shout  of  victory. 

"  So  great  and  unexpected  a  triumph  was  regarded 
by  them  as  a  sure  indication  of  divine  favor.  Had 
they  not  been  so  blind,  they  would  have  seen  that  the 
thunder-bolt  of  divine  justice  was  even  then  about  to 
fall  upon  them.  Their  blindness,  however,  made  them 
far  more  courageous  than  they  could  have  been,  had 
they  fully  realized  their  condition.  For  awhile  they 
succeeded  in  preventing  us  from  entering  the  city,  by 
making  a  wall  of  the  dead  bodies  of  their  companions  ; 
but  at  last  we  swept  them  before  us  like  a  flood,  and 
as  they  retired  into  a  place  of  safety,  we  demolished 
the  whole  wall.  We  also  destroyed  that  part  of  the 
city  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  only  remaining 
wall,  on  the  next  day. 

"  Hoping  that  I  shall  soon  be  able  to  tell  thee  of 
the  fall  of  the  city,  and  wishing  once  more  to  remind 
thee  of  my  love  for  thee, 

I  am  thy  son, 

PRISCUS." 


208  Eebekah. 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A   REVIEW. 

"  Ho,  there !  my  Priscus,  what  have  we  done  to 
merit  thy  desertion,"  cried  Marcus  as  the  centurion 
was  going  to  mail  his  letter  to  his  father.  "  It  is  now 
several  days  since  we  gained  the  second  wall,  but  we 
have  scarcely  had  a  glimpse  of  thy  face  during  all  this 
time.  By  Castor,  if  all  should  be  as  neglectful  of 
their  friends  as  thou  hast  been  of  us,  friendship  would 
soon  die." 

"  Friendship  must  take  care  of  herself,  my  Marcus," 
said  another  voice,  which  Priscus  recognized  as  that 
of  Publius,  another  of  his  friends.  "Love  reigns 
supreme  in  the  centurion's  heart  of  late." 

"  Perpol !  if  thou  hadst  seen  him  when  we  drove 
the  seditious  into  the  Upper  City  thou  wonldst  say 
that  hatred  had  possession  of  his  heart,"  said  Marcus. 

"And  hadst  thou  watched  him  scan  the  Upper 
City  as  I  have  oft  of  late,"  said  Publius  "  thou  wouldst 
find  that  there  is  a  face  he  longs  to  see  far  more  than 
thine." 

"  What  is  all  this  foolish  talk  ?  "  said  Priscus,  join 
ing  his  friends.  "  The  true  reason  for  my  seeming 
neglect  is  that  some  I  know  are  so  anxious  to  see  the 
Jewish  maidens  in  my  charge  that  I  have  to  exercise 
the  closest  vigilance  over  them." 

"  By  the  girdle  of  Venus,"  said  Marcus  ;  "  that  hits 
not  me ;  for  I  have  no  love  to  throw  away  on  any 
daughter  of  Abraham." 

"  Or  of  Rome,"  said  Publius,  interrupting  him. 

"But  I  have  long  suspected  that  Publius  has  a 
weakness  in  that  direction,"  continued  Marcus,  ignor 
ing  the  interruption.  "  I  well  remember  the  day 
when  he  first  saw  a  certain  pretty  Jewess  on  the 
Palatine,  and  the  terrible  look  of  disappointment  on 
his  face  when  he  learned  that  she  was  already  in  love 
with  a  certain  centurion  of  the  fifth  legion." 

"  Hercle !   thou  talkest  as  though  it  were  a  capital 


A  Review.  209 

offense  to  admire  a  pretty  face,"  said  Publius,  sul 
lenly.  "Some  people's  eyes  are  so  dazzled  with 
military  glory  that  they  can  see  beauty  in  nothing 
else." 

"  Beauty  !  who  talks  of  beauty  ?  "  exclaimed  Caius 
the  surgeon,  approaching  the  trio.  "  If  it  were 
Priscus,  it  would  be  unnecessary  to  ask  the  question. 
By  the  way  my  Priscus,  I  hear  that  thou  hast  a 
number  of  captive  maidens  in  thy  charge.  Since 
thou  hast  been  so  successful  in  thy  choice  canst  thou 
not  find  one  to  suit  me  out  of  these  ?  By  Bacchus,  I 
have  been  away  so  long  from  Julia  that  I  fear  she 
will  desert  me  before  I  shall  see  Rome  again." 

"  Had  she  known  thee  so  well  as  we  do,  she  would 
never  have  trusted  her  heart  in  thy  keeping,"  said 
Marcus. 

"  Thou  judgest  his  case  by  thine  own,"  said  Pub 
lius;  "for  thou  art  so  well  known  that  every 
sensible  maiden  avoids  even  thy  very  shadow." 

"  Since  you  are  going  to  quarrel  I  think  I  had 
better  leave  you,"  remarked  Priscus. 

"  Which  way  art  thou  going?  "  asked  Caius. 

"  To  the  qusestorium,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Then  I  will  accompany  thee." 

As  the  two  left  the  others,  Priscus  said, 

"  Thou  must  have  been  busily  employed  of  late. 
Are  there  many  that  have  already  suffered  from 
hunger?" 

"  No,  not  many.  Those  who  have  suffered  most, 
belong  to  the  poorest  class  of  people.  Some  of  them 
have  already  died  ;  others  can  not  live." 

"  Had  the  seditious  not  destroyed  so  many  gran 
aries  in  their  suicidal  attacks,  there  had  been  enough 
and  to  spare  for  the  poorest  of  the  people." 

"  It  is  a  pity  that  the  innocent  have  to  suffer  thus, 
while  the  guilty  have  plenty  to  eat." 

They  now  entered  the  qusestorium,  and  Priscus, 
after  ordering  a  fresh  supply  of  provisions  for  his  men, 
and  handing  his  letter  to  an  officer,  left  Caius 
examining  a  case  of  drugs  that  had  just  arrived,  and 


210  Rebekah. 

passed  out  of  the  tent.  On  reaching  the  main  pas 
sage  he  was  joined  by  Domitius  Sabinus,  a  soldier 
who  had  lately  distinguished  himself  by  his  heroic 
behavior,  and  the  two  strolled  in  the  direction  of  the 
Temple.  Presently  they  found  themselves  standing 
at  the  upper  part  of  that  open  space  which  had  been 
the  scene  of  so  many  conflicts  between  the  zealots 
and  the  Idumeans,  but  was  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
Romans. 

"  So,  at  last,  my  Sabinus,  we  are  masters  of  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  city,"  said  Prisons,  looking  in 
the  direction  of  Mertu's  house,  where  the  figures  of  a 
man  and  a  woman  could  be  discerned  standing  on  the 
house-top  and  watching  the  Romans. 

"  Ay  ;  but  if  my  eyes  deceive  me  not,  the  strongest 
part  is  still  un taken,"  said  Sabinus  in  a  pleasant 
voice.  "  Antonia  and  the  Temple  seem  to  defy  our 
engines,  and  that  massive  wall  with  the  towers  of 
Mariamne,  Phasaelus,  and  Hippicus  seems  to  laugh 
us  to  scorn.  But  the  God  who  once  favored  the  Jews 
now  fights  with  our  legions,  and  what  are  these 
defenses  before  his  mighty  power  ! " 

"  Thou  hast  truly  spoken,"  said  Priscus  ;  "  neither 
military  skill  nor  fortified  cities  can  resist  his  strong 
arm.  With  him  the  weak  are  invincible;  without 
him  the  most  powerful  armies  are  as  the  sand  of  the 
desert,  helpless  and  at  the  mercy  of  every  blast. 
Were  not  God  with  us  we  would  attack  these  walls 
in  vain,  for  a  dear  'friend  of  mine,  well  versed  in  the 
history  of  the  Jews,  once  told  me  that  a  certain 
Assyrian  king  called  Sennacherib  besieged  this  very 
city  nearly  eight  centuries  ago  with  an  army  two 
hundred  thousand  strong;  but  ere  a  dart  was  shot, 
the  whole  army,  with  the  exception  of  a  few,  perished 
in  one  night  by  the  sword  of  the  angel  of  death  while 
sleeping  in  the  camp,  which  stood  where  ours  stands 
to-day.  And  when  the  sun  rose  over  yonder  Mount 
next  morning,  the  watchmen  on  the  wall  saw  the 
earth  covered  with  the  dead.  The  king  himself 
escaped  only  to  be  assassinated  by  his  sons  while 


A  Review.  211 

worshiping  in  the  temple  of  the  god  in  whom  he  had 
vainly  trusted." 

"  What  a  fearful  judgment !  Men  are  always  worst 
ed  when  they  fight  against  God.  They  may,  like 
these  deluded  Jews,  mistake  the  eddies  of  fortune  for 
the  tide  of  destiny ;  yet  if  their  plans  be  contrary  to 
the  Divine  Will  their  end  can  be  none  other  than 
destruction." 

"  Truth  needs  not  blush  at  thy  remark,  my  Sabi- 
nus ;  nor  does  history  contradict  it.  Thou  mightest 
also  add  that  men  may  be  destroyed  while  righting  for 
God  as  well  as  against  him.  They  may  fight  God's 
battles  from  selfish  motives  rather  than  from  any 
desire  to  obey  his  commands,  and  thus  become  the 
victims  of  their  own  selfishness.  They  may  escape 
destruction  on  the  battlefield,  to  die  a  more  lingering 
and  miserable  death  in  the  palace  or  on  the  throne. 
Thou  knowest  too  well,  O  Sabinus,  the  history  of 
our  nation.  It  is  the  history  of  conquest  and  military 
triumph.  Rome  is  the  mistress  of  the  world  ;  yet  she 
is  drunk  with  the  wine  of  her  own  success.  Ah! 
gladly  would  we,  being  Romans,  think  our  beloved 
Rome  above  reproach ;  but  being  also  Christians,  we 
can  not  but  see  her  vices  with  her  virtues." 

"  True  ;  and  I  fear,  O  Priscus,  that  our  Judean 
victories  will  but  feed  our  nation's  pride,  and  there 
fore  hasten  her  downfall.  When  God  ceases  to  use 
Rome  as  a  scourge  in  the  chastisement  of  other 
nations,  it  will  be  because  she  herself  deserves  scourg 
ing.  Would  that  she  would  cast  off  her  idols  and 
repent  ere  it  is  too  late.  But " 

Priscus  prevented  him  from  finishing  the  sentence 
by  exclaiming, 

"  Shield  thyself !  Ah,  the  villain  missed  his  mark ! 
I  saw  him  not  until  he  appeared  at  the  corner  of  that 
house.  I  thought  no  harm  could  befall  us  here  ;  but 
that  impious  knave  came  near  sending  his  arrow 
through  us  bqth." 

"  Ay ; "  said  Sabinus,  as  his  eyes  followed  the 
Jew's  retreating  steps,  "  and  such  a  daring  fellow  a$ 


212  EebeJcah. 

he,  who  fears  not  to  beard  the  lion  in  his  den,  should 
teach  us  not  to  venture  from  the  camp  without  hav 
ing  our  armor  on." 

"  But  we  have  been  on  duty  so  much  of  late,  and 
this  place  seemed  so  secure,  that  I  thought  we  might 
view  the  city  at  our  ease  without  being  in  the  least 
danger.  But  a  Roman  is  never  safe  when  there  are 
skulking  dogs  like  that  base  fellow  prowling  around. 
The  wretch!  strange  I  did  not  see  him  leave  the 
Temple." 

"  Ha,  ha,  I  have  seen  stranger  things.  Thou,  like 
myself,  hast  but  one  pair  of  eyes,  and  therefore  canst 
not  see  in  more  than  one  direction  at  once.  Had 
thy  acquaintance  with  the  city  begun  before  the  siege 
I  would  certainly  declare  thee  in  love  with  some 
charming  Jewess  on  yonder  house-top  !  " 

"  Then  thou  must  be  in  love  with  me,  seeing  that 
thou  didst  watch  me  so  closely,"  said  Priscus  evasive 
ly.  Then  looking  towards  the  Temple  he  added, 
"  Whatever  be  the  spirit  that  prompted  our  watch 
ing,  the  eyes  that,  watched  us  though  yonder  gate 
meant  us  no  good." 

"  To  take  a  mean  advantage  of  his  antagonist  is  as 
natural  to  the  Jew  as  flying  is  to  an  eagle.  As  thou 
knowest,  it  is  hardly  a  week  since  the  treachery  of 
the  seditious  exposed  us  to  great  dangers,  and  caused 
us  to  retreat  precipitately  out  through  the  breach  we 
had  made  in  the  wall.  Csesar  offered  them  peace, 
and  they  plotted  to  take  his  life.  He  strictly  charged 
us  neither  to  burn  the  city  nor  slay  those  whom  we 
caught,  and  they  lay  in  wait  for  us  at  every  corner. 
Our  pity  they  construed  into  cowardice,  and  our 
kindness  into  fear." 

"Mercy,  my  Sabinus,  is  not  the  weapon  with 
which  to  conquer  the  Jews.  They  show  no  pity  and 
they  expect  none.  I  saw  them  cut  the  throats  of 
those  who  wanted  peace,  and  shower  stones  upon 
those  who  begged  for  bread.  When  they  treat  those 
pf  their  own  flesh  and  blood  with  such  cruelty, 


A  Review. 

will  they  not  do  to  us  ?     The  seditious  are  harmless 
only  when  they  are  dead." 

"  Ha,  ha,  I  thought  that  was  thy  conviction  when 
I  saw  thee  cut  so  many  of  them  down  the  other  day," 
said  Sabinus,  greatly  amused. 

"  And  I  knew  it  to  be  thy  conviction  when  I  caught 
a  glimpse  of  Caesar's  darts  and  thine  mingling  with 
the  arrows  of  the  archers,  and  filling  the  narrow 
lanes  with  Jewish  carcasses,"  retorted  Priscus. 

"  Ah !  my  fighting  was  but  a  child's  play  com 
pared  to  that  of  Caesar.  The  darts  flew  from  his 
hands  as  though  he  were  Hercules,  and  every  dart 
was  a  messenger  of  death.  No  man  could  stand  at 
his  side  and  be  a  coward.  He  has  the  firmness  of  a 
brazen  statue  and  the  courage  of  a  lion.  Would 
that  I  could  always  fight  at  his  side  !  " 

"  His  presence  in  a  fight  is  certainly  very  inspir 
ing,  and  I  shall  never  forget  the  day  I  fought  at  his 
side  on  Mount  Olivet.  Nor  will  those  who  fled  from 
his  flashing  eye  and  mighty  arm  forget.  Rome 
never  had  a  braver  son,  or  Jerusalem  a  kinder 
foe.  Would  that  he  were  as  godly  as  he  is  brave, 
and  as  full  of  faith  as  he  is  of  mercy." 

"  Hast  thou  ever  spoken  to  him  about  Christ." 

"  No  ;  my  mind  shrinks  from  the  task  as  a  criminal 
does  from  the  cross.  Oft  have  I  wished  that  he  were 
a  Christian ;  oft  have  I  resolved  to  tell  him  of  the 
Saviour  of  the  world;  yet  I  fear  he"  does  not  even 
know  I  am  a  Christian.  All  my  resolutions  are 
choked  by  diffidence,  and  the  words  which  my  mind 
frames  perish  on  my  tongue  in  the  presence  of  op 
portunity.  Would  that  I  had  the  moral  courage  of 
Paul.  Neither  fear  nor  threats,  ridicule  nor  scorn, 
could  overcome  his  Christian  zeal  and  boldness. 

"  If  we  would  have  Paul's  boldness  in  speaking  of 
our  Lord,  we  must  also  possess  his  devotion  and  con 
secration.  I  fear  I  think  more  of  military  glory  than 
of  heavenly  joy,  and  talk  more  about  fighting  the 
Jews  than  about  warring  with  the  lusts  of  the  flesh. 
As  I  heard  the  beloved  Paul  once  say,  we  must  be 


214  JKebekaL 

girt  with  truth ;  put  on  the  breast-plate  of  righteous 
ness  and  the  helmet  of  salvation  ;  and  take  the  shield 
of  faith  and  the  sword  of  the  spirit.  Thus  being  duly 
armed  and  disciplined  we  shall  be  good  soldiers  of 
Jesus  Christ." 

"  Ah !  thy  words  seem  like  the  echo  of  the  great 
apostle's  voice.  Once  when  trying  to  persuade  me 
to  become  a  Christian  he  used  those  very  words.  He 
said  that  in  serving  Caesar  I  rendered  only  partial 
obedience  to  the  Divine  Law ;  that  Caesar  himself 
was  responsible  to  a  higher  power ;  and  that  Christ 
alone  can  give  eternal  life  to  men.  Little  could  I 
understand  of  what  he  said  then ;  nor  could  I  be 
lieve  that  He  whom  the  Jews  so  bitterly  hated  and 
denounced,  and  whom  Pontius  Pilate  delivered  to  be 
crucified  was  not  only  innocent  of  crime  but,  holy  and 
divine.  But  God  did  not  allow  me  to  remain  long 
in  darkness.  He  caused  the  holiness  and  sufferings 
of  his  children  to  be  my  guides  to  the  light.  Had  I 
the  least  doubt  as  to  the  sinless  character  of  our 
Lord,  the  madness  and  malignity  of  the  seditious 
would  have  dispersed  it  long  ere  this." 

"  Thy  past  experience  has  been  widely  different 
from  mine.  I  received  a  Christian  training,  and  as 
thou  knowest,  narrowly  escaped  martyrdom  during 
the  persecution  under  Nero." 

Here  the  sound  of  a  trumpet  caused  the  two 
soldiers  to  retrace  their  steps  to  the  camp,  Priscus  re 
marking  as  they  entered  one  of  the  few  guarded 
streets  left  intact, 

"It  must  be,  my  Sabinus,  that  Caesar  has  grown 
weary  of  waiting  for  the  seditious  to  surrender. 
He  has  given  them  ample  time  to  ponder  over  their 
critical  situation,  and  the  army  is  now  in  a  good  con 
dition  to  press  forward  the  siege." 

"  Ay ;  yet  Caesar's  generous  heart  may  incline  him 
to  try  another  expediency  before  resorting  to  violent 
measures.  But  it  is  needless  for  us  to  speculate ; 
here  comes  Marcus.  He  will  tell  us  the  meauuig  ot 
the  summons  we  have  just  heard." 


A  Review.  215 

"  What  now,  my  Marcus  ?  "  said  Priscus  while  the 
decurion  saluted  him.  "  Is  the  world  coming  to  au 
end?" 

"  Thy  world  will  soon  come  to  an  end,  unless  thou 
pay  more  attention  to  thy  duty  and  less  to  that 
fascinating  little  rebel  in  the  Upper  City  !  "  was  the 
reply. 

"  Dost  thou  hear  that,  my  Sabinus  ?  "  asked  Pris 
cus,  turning  to  the  knight.  "  Have  you  such  impu 
dent  upstarts  in  your  cohort?  " 

"  None.  When  anyone  becomes  so  self-important 
as  to  exceed  the  bounds  of  his  authority  we  hand 
him  over  to  the  jackals,"  said  Sabinus  with  a  smile. 

"  Ha,  ha,  hearest  thou  that,  Sir  Insolent  ?  "  con 
tinued  the  centurion,  addressing  Marcus.  I  fear  we 
must  adopt  a  similar  method.  But  enough  of  this. 
What  are  the  orders  ?  " 

"  Caesar  has  decided  to  have  a  grand  review,  and 
commands  us  all  to  be  ready  by  to-morrow,"  answered 
Marcus. 

"  Ha,  ha,  good  !  I  need  a  little  money.  But  I  am 
greatly  amiss  if  Caesar  has  not  another  purpose  in  his 
mind  than  to  give  us  our  pay,"  said  Priscus  as  he 
parted  with  Sabinus. 

When  everything  was  in  readiness,  the  whole  army 
was  stretched  from  the  tower  of  Hippicus  to  Antonia. 
As  the  legions  marched  into  line,  and  stood  in  full 
view  of  the  Jews,  nothing  could  exceed  them  in 
grandeur.  The  burnished  parts  of  the  armor  and 
weapons  of  the  legionaries,  and  of  the  fine  trappings 
of  the  horses  appeared  in  the  clear  sunlight  like  a 
crystal  sea ;  while  the  gilded  eagle  of  each  legion 
perched  on  a  tall  shaft,  with  wings  outstretched  as  if 
ready  to  swoop  down  on  the  enemy,  appeared  like  a 
burning  flame.  Rome  itself  never  witnessed  a  sight 
more  imposing  and  awe-inspiring,  and  Titus,  as  he 
rode  on  his  high-spirited  horse  in  front  of  the  army, 
accompanied  by  his  lieutenants,  added  much  to  the 
grandeur  of  the  scene. 


216  Eebekah. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

CONFLICTING   OPINIONS. 

AMONG  the  vast  multitudes  that  witnessed  this 
great  military  display,  none  were  more  deeply  yet 
variedly  impressed  than  the  small  group  on  the  roof 
of  Merto's  house.  Though  overawed  by  the  sight, 
Merto's  wife  still  opposed  the  giving  up  the  city  ; 
while  Rebekah  and  her  father  favored  surrender. 

"  Thou  art  wrong,  Martha,"  said  Herodion  in 
answer  to  a  remark  of  his  sister,  withdrawing  his 
eyes  for  a  moment  from  the  solid  mass  of  soldiers 
which  for  the  past  three  days  had  attracted  so  much 
attention.  "  Thou  art  wrong.  In  all  its  past  history 
thou  wilt  not  find  one  instance  in  which  God  saved 
the  city  from  its  enemies  when  it  was  his  divine  pur 
pose  to  chastise  it  for  its  sins." 

"  I  tell  thee  I  am  not  wrong,"  said  his  sister  defi 
antly.  "Hast  thou  forgotten  the  city's  remarkable 
deliverance  in  the  days  of  Hezekiah  when  the  angel 
of  the  Lord  slew  the  army  of  the  Assyrians  ?  " 

"  Art  thou  so  little  acquainted  with  the  truth  that 
thou  shouldest  consider  this  an  instance  of  God's 
displeasure  with  his  people?  Where  is  thy  author 
ity?  What  prophet  speaks  of  it?  What  sin  had 
kindled  the  divine  wrath  ?  Thou  art  wrong,  Martha, 
entirely  wrong.  God  delivered  Jerusalem  because 
Israel  trusted  in  him,  and  punished  the  Assyrian  be 
cause  of  his  vain  .boasts  and  terrible  blasphemies. 
Had  Israel  always  trusted  in  him,  its  enemies  would 
never  have  prevailed  against  it.  Had  Jerusalem  loved 
God  rather  than  her  sins  she  would  never  have  known 
the  rod  of  correction.  But  couldst  thou  penetrate  the 
rubbish  in  yonder  valley,  yea,  even  under  thine  own 
house,  thou  wouldst  find  evidences  of  her  guilt.  It 
was  her  sins  that  brought  Shishak,  king  of  Egypt, 
against  her  in  the  days  of  Rehoboam,  and  that  deliv 
ered  her  into  the  hands  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  of 
Pompey,  and  of  Herod  and  Sosius.  If  she  escaped 


Conflicting  Opinions.  217 

not  then,  can  she  escape  now,  seeing  that  her  hands 
are  red  with  innocent  blood,  her  garments  defiled 
with  iniquity,  and  her  heart  full  of  corruption  ?  " 

"  Didst  thou  not  tell  us  yesterday,  father,  that 
Titus  was  willing  to  spare  the  city  on  the  condition 
of  surrender?  Is  Titus  more  merciful  than  God ?" 
said  Rebekah. 

"  Yesterday  has  no  place  in  thy  father's  memory ! 
Talk  not  of  mercy ;  for  he  will  have  naught  but  judg 
ment,"  said  Merto's  wife  in  a  sneering  voice. 

"  What  I  said  yesterday  is  true,"  continued  Her- 
odion,  ignoring  his  sister's  remark ;  "  and  what  I 
have  just  said  is  also  true.  Titus  desires  to  spare  the 
city  from  further  destruction,  so  does  God.  Yet 
neither  Titus  nor  God  will  show  mercy  to  those  who 
seek  it  not." 

"  But  are  there  not  thousands  in  the  city,  father, 
who  desire  mercy  both  of  God  and  of  the  Romans  ?  " 
again  asked  Rebekah. 

"Ay,  doubtless,  my  daughter,"  was  the  reply. 
"But  is  the  city  in  their  power ?  Is  it  not  rather  in 
the  hands  of  the  Idumeans  and  the  zealots  ?  and  do 
they  desire  mercy  of  the  Romans?  " 

"  God  be  praised  that  they  do  not,  for  thus  they 
clearly  show  that  they  are  true  Israelites,"  exclaimed 
his  sister. 

"  True  Israelites !  say  rather  true  villains,  for  fear 
ing  lest  the  Romans  punish  them  for  their  enormous 
crimes,  they  choose  to  provoke  the  fall  of  the  awful 
wrath  of  God  upon  the  guiltless  as  well  as  upon 
themselves  rather  than  save  the  city  by  surrender. 
Surely  they  have  no  hope  of  deliverance,  for  both 
famine  and  the  sword  stare  us  all  in  the  face,  and  if 
we  shall  escape  the  one,  the  other  is  sure  to  destroy 
us." 

"  If  our  defenders  indeed  are  villains,  then  I  would 
they  were  greatly  multiplied,"  retorted  Merto's  wife, 
looking  daggers  at  her  brother.  "  Had  they  all  been 
sneaking  cowards  like  thee,  the  city  would  have  fallen 
into  the  enemy's  hands  long  ago.  Or  had  they  no 


218  Rebekah. 

hope  of  deliverance,  they  could  not  have  defended 
our  walls  so  bravely.  They  are  inspired  by  a  hope 
which  thou  and  thine  have  exchanged  for  a  delusion. 
They  look  for  Him  of  whom  the  prophets  did  write ; 
ye  put  your  trust  in  an  impostor  who  could  not  save 
himself  from  the  cross." 

"  He  of  whom  the  prophets  did  write,  has  indeed 
already  come,  and  has  gone  again  to  the  Father.  He 
came  to  his  own  and  his  own  received  him  not. 
His  righteous  blood  is  required  of  this  generation. 
He  once  came  in  mercy;  he  now  comes  in  judgment, 
and  woe  be  to  those  who  have  rejected  him!  Ye  call 
him  an  impostor  and  we,  his  followers,  deluded  fanat 
ics.  Hence  ye  add  blasphemy  to  rejection." 

As  Herodion  spoke  these  words  tears  came  to  his 
eyes,  and  Rebekah  looked  with  pity  at  her  aunt.  In 
vain  had  they  tried  to  lead  her  to  the  Savior ;  her 
Jewish  pride  and  prejudices  made  her  heart  imper 
vious  to  the  arrows  of  conviction.  She  clung  tena 
ciously  to  the  popular  notion  regarding  the  Messiah. 
Hence  her  brother  had  no  sooner  paused  than  she 
remarked, 

"  Thou  canst  never  persuade  me  to  believe  that 
the  Nazarene  was  our  Messiah,  or  that  his  blood  is 
required  at  our  hands  because  we  have  refused  to 
recognize  his  claims.  Art  thou  wiser  than  the  doc 
tors  of  the  law?  Did  they  believe  in  Jesus  of  Naza 
reth?  Do  they  not  even  now  expect  the  Messiah? 
Didst  thou  search  the  Scriptures  diligently  and  wisely 
thou  wouldst  see  that  he  whom  ye  worship  was  not 
God's  Anointed.  True,  he  was  born  in  Bethlehem; 
but  was  it  in  a  palace  and  amidst  princely  surround 
ings  ?  He  first  appeared  in  Galilee ;  but  had  he  been 
living  unknown  among  the  people,  and  did  he  come 
forth  with  matchless  splendor  ?  He  wrought  signs 
and  wonders ;  but  did  he  break  the  rod  of  oppression, 
and  found  a  kingdom  of  surpassing  glory  ?  Did  not 
the  high-priests  and  rulers  find  him  guilt}^  of  blas 
phemy?  And  did  he  not  die  a  malefactor's  death? " 

Hearing  the  sound  of  approaching  footsteps  she 


Conflicting   Opinions.  219 

paused  a  moment,  and  finding  that  the  intruder  was 
one  of  the  servants  sent  to  inform  her  that  she  was 
wanted  in  the  house,  she  dismissed  her  with  the  an 
nouncement  that  she  would  follow  presently.  Con 
tinuing  she  said, 

"  When  the  Messiah  comes — as  he  must  come 
soon — Israel  will  not  fail  to  recognize  him.  In 
beauty  he  shall  surpass  the  comeliness  of  women,  and 
he  shall  be  glorious  in  his  apparel,  traveling  in  the 
greatness  of  his  strength.  He  shall  gird  his  loins 
with  might,  and  gather  the  princes  and  the  people 
around  him.  He  shall  move  like  a  whirlwind  and 
cut  down  the  kings  and  great  warriors  of  the  earth 
like  stubble.  That  proud  dog  of  a  Roman  with  his 
boasted  army  shall  be  made  to  lick  the  dust ;  the 
beasts  of  the  field  shall  feed  on  the  slain  for  a  whole 
year  and  the  fowls  of  the  air  for  seven  years.  The 
treasures  of  the  earth  shall  enrich  the  City  of  God, 
which  shall  be  set  on  Sinai,  Tabor,  and  Carmel,  and 
reach  to  the  gates  of  Damascus.  The  princes  of 
Judah  shall  dwell  in  houses  three  miles  in  height ; 
the  gates  of  Jerusalem  shall  be  of  pearls  and  precious 
stones  and  of  great  height  and  breadth ;  and  the 
country  round  about  shall  abound  in  pleasant  stones. 
The  people  of  this  glorious  city  shall  all  be  prophets, 
and  the  Messiah,  the  Eternal  King,  shall  reign  over 
them.  Ah !  why  does  God's  Anointed  tarry  so 
long !  Let  him  haste ;  the  thousands  of  Judah  are 
anxious  to  follow  to  the  slaughter  of  the  Gentiles  !  " 

She  uttered  these  words  with  a  triumphant  air, 
and  as  the  last  word  fell  from  her  lips  she  cast  a 
sweeping  glance  at  the  Romans  and  hastened  away. 
The  wild  notions  to  which  Rebekah  and  her  father 
had  thus  been  forced  to  listen  were  very  familiar  to 
them,  for  they  were  the  current  notions  of  the 
Jewish  people,  as  they  had  been  for  centuries  be 
fore. 

"  O  father,"  said  Rebekah  as  her  aunt  descended 
the  stairway  to  the  veranda,  "  what  a  pity  that  so 
many  of  our  people  entertain  such  delusive  ideas  and 


220  Rebelcah. 

comfort  themselves  with  such  vain  hopes !  Would 
that  they  had  never  rejected  the  Son  of  God,  and 
that  they  had  accepted  the  simple  faith  which 
looks  beyond  the  pomp  and  glory  of  this  world !  " 

"  Ay,  my  daughter,"  was  the  reply,  "  it  is  a  great 
pity ;  yet  it  is  quite  natural.  Their  national  pride 
and  love  for  the  traditions  of  the  fathers  have  led 
them  to  pervert  the  prophecies,  and  to  yearn  for 
national  glory  rather  than  spiritual  prosperity.  It 
has  never  entered  their  thoughts  that  the  Messiah 
was  to  be  more  than  a  great  Prince,  that  his  kingdom 
was  not  to  be  of  this  world,  and' that  the  Gentiles  as 
well  as  themselves  were  to  become  his  subjects. 
Hence  when  the  Christ  came  into  the  world,  they 
would  not  have  him  reign  over  them.  They  could 
see  none  of  his  infinite  love,  the  love  which  caused 
him  to  take  our  sins  upon  himself,  and  to  become  our 
High  Priest." 

"  And  how  it  grieved  his  loving  heart,  father,  to 
find  them  so  blind  and  proud !  With  what  infinite 
compassion  and  tenderness  he  mourned  over  the  city 
as  he  viewed  it  from  yonder  mount !  Her  past  sins 
rose  like  mountains  before  him,  her  future  doom 
passed  like  a  vision  before  his  eyes.  Nor  did  he  fail 
to  see  that  her  Messianic  hopes  would  increase  in 
strength  and  attractiveness  the  nearer  the  time  ap 
proached  when  he  should  come  in  judgment  upon 
her." 

"  Thou  hast  spoken  truly,  Rebekah.  Our  Lord's 
compassion  was  not  greater  than  his  insight,  as  is 
clearly  shown  by  the  wild  notions  of  the  people. 
They  would  now  gladly  welcome  any  one  who  came 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  But  they  look  in  vain  for 
a  Deliverer ;  their  house  shall  soon  be  left  to  them 
desolate." 

We  need  not  foUp-w  the  conversation  farther :  for 
what  we  have  ju&  learned  enables  us  to  understand 
with  what  false  hopes  the  majority  of  the  peopl^  of 
Jerusalem  were  inspired  during  the  siege.     Had  tti&> 
not  been  so  deluded  they  would  have  made  a  virtue 


Fiends  in  the  Guise  of  Men.  221 

of  necessity  by  yielding  the  city  to  the  Romans.  As 
it  was,  their  stubbornness  forced  Titus  to  continue 
the  siege  and  to  make  preparations  for  taking  the 
Temple  and  the  Upper  City  by  raising  banks  at  the 
tower  of  Antonia  and  John's  monument. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

FIENDS   IN   THE  GUISE  OF  MEN. 

IN  the  meantime  Judas  together  with  several  other 
commanders  hastened  in  obedience  to  a  summons 
from  Simon  to  the  tower  of  Hippicus,  which  rose  like 
a  mighty  giant  before  them.  Reaching  the  foot  of  a 
broad  stairway  they  ascended  to  a  large  hall,  and 
presently  found  themselves  in  a  room  of  moderate 
size,  with  highly  ornamented  walls  and  a  tesselated 
floor,  at  the  north  end  of  which  sat  the  commander- 
in-chief  on  an  exquisitely  embroidered  divan,  await 
ing  their  arrival.  He  was  richly  clad  after  the  ap 
proved  style  of  the  times,  and  his  features,  which  were 
more  Idumeau  than  Jewish  in  their  cast,  plainly  de 
clared  him  to  be  of  aristocratic  blood.  After  return 
ing  the  salutations  of  his  lieutenants  he  pointed  them 
to  the  vacant  seats  near  by,  and  as  they  seated  them 
selves,  he  cleared  his  throat  and  wiped  the  sweat 
from  his  forehead  preparatory  to  speaking. 

"  I  have  summoned  you,  O  men  of  Israel,  to  a  con 
sultation  relative  to  the  important  issues  which  con 
cern  the  welfare  of  the  Holy  City  in  particular  and 
the  nation  in  general.  That  Josephus,  the  arch-traitor, 
has  again  been  inciting  the  people  into  rebellion 
against  us,  ye  already  know.  Ye  also  know  that  a 
great  number  have  deserted  to  the  enemy  since  his 
abominable  speech,  and  that  unless  something  be  done 
to  check  the  tide  of  desertion,  we  shall  soon  find 
ourselves  in  a  worse  condition  than  that  consequent 
upon  surrender.  Now,  what  remedy  do  ye  suggest 
for  this  evil  ?  " 

One  and  another  of  the  commanders  now  gave  his 


222  Rebekah. 

opinion  about  the  matter,  and  all  agreed  that  the  most 
effectual  way  to  prevent  further  desertion  was  to  put 
a  few  suspected  characters  to  death.  Judas  ventured 
to  go  farther  than  this. 

"  Would  it  not  be  wise  for  us  also,  my  lord,"  said 
he,  "to  use  this  mania  for  desertion  to  the  promotion 
of  our  interests  in  other  than  a  political  sense  ?  Can 
we  not  make  suspicion  lead  us  into  the  treasure-houses 
of  the  innocent  as  well  as  the  guilty  ?  " 

"  Ha,  ha,  a  novel  plan,  and  a  good  one,"  said  Simon, 
beaming  with  pleasure,  while  the  rest  of  the  command 
ers  nodded  their  approval.  "  Since  thou  art  the  orig 
inator  of  the  plan,  it  is  but  fair  that  thou  should 
have  the  first  opportunity  to  put  it  into  execution." 

Acting  upon  this  suggestion  Judas  immediately 
sent  a  message  to  one  of  his  subalterns,  and,  presently 
a  prisoner  was  brought  into  the  room  guarded  by  a 
body  of  soldiers. 

"  Ah  !  ye  have  found  the  traitor,"  said  the  son  oi 
Giora,  assuming  a  freezing  manner. 

"  Ay,  my  lord,  and  a  worse  traitor  was  never 
known  in  Israel,"  said  the  leader  of  the  guard. 
"  Peace  and  prosperity  must  die  where  he  lives." 

"  These  men,  O  Simon,  speak  not  the  truth,"  plead 
ed  the  prisoner.  "  Thy  servant " 

"  Hold  thy  peace,"  said  Simon  interrupting  him. 
Then  addressing  the  leader  of  the  guard  he  said, 

"  What  accusation  dost  thou  bring  against  this 
fellow?" 

"  He  is  guilty  of  designs  to  betray  the  city  to  the 
Romans,  my  lord,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Hearest  thou  this  charge  ?  Thou  art  permitted 
to  speak  for  thyself,"  said  Simon,  addressing  the  pris 
oner. 

Perceiving  that  he  was  in  desperate  hands  and  that 
escape  was  impossible,  the  prisoner  laughed  at  Simon's 
remark,  and  casting  off  all  restraint  he  said, 

"  I  have  heard  the  charge,  O  tyrant ;  but  is  it  sus 
tained?  Is  there  any  proof  or  evidence  of  my 
Crime?" 


Fiends  in  the  Guise  of  Men.  223 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  a  dozen  voices  ;  "  we  are  witnesses 
to  thy  guilt." 

t(  Ha,  ha,  ye  witnesses  to  my  guilt !  Ye  whose 
hearts  are  full  of  corruption,  and  whose  every  word 
is  polluted  with  lies  !  My  only  crime  is  that  the  Lord 
has  prospered  my  labors,  and " 

"  Away,  with  him ;  let  the  sword  taste  of  his  blood !  " 
cried  Simon  indignantly.  "  We  need  no  evidence 
against  him  other  than  his  own  words.  Let  him  die 
the  death  of  a  dog ;  the  base  traitor  has  already  lived 
too  long ! " 

As  the  prisoner  was  being  dragged  away,  Simon 
called  the  officer  in  charge  to  him,  and  whispered  in 
his  ear, 

"  See  that  his  house  be  plundered  of  all  that  is  in  it. 
If  any  desired  information  be  withheld,  or  the  least 
opposition  be  shown  thee  by  the  members  of  his  house 
hold,  thou  knowesb  how  to  act.  Go." 

"  It  shall  be  done  according  to  thy  word,  my  lord," 
said  he,  hastening  away. 

Finding  himself  alone  with  his  officers,  Simon  laugh 
ingly  remarked. 

"  Would  that  we  could  settle  the  fate  of  the  un- 
circumcised  dogs  that  encompass  the  city  as  easily  as 
that." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha,  well  spoken,  my  lord,"  said  a  chorus 
of  voices,  of  which  that  of  the  son  of  Merto  was  the 
loudest.  Then  Judas  added, 

"Since  we  cannot  satisfy  our  revenge,  we  do  well 
to  satisfy  our  love  of  money.  Would  that  every  head 
in  the  city  were  worth  as  many  shekels  as  that  which 
now  rolls  in  the  dust  by  yonder  wall." 

This  he  said  while  watching  through  one  of  the 
windows  the  execution  of  the  man  who  had  just  been 
dragged  from  the  room. 

"  I  hate  not  money  ;  yet  I  fear  the  time  is  close  at 
hand  when  it  will  be  far  easier  to  find  a  measure  of 
shekels  than  of  grain.  Others  might  die  of  hunger, 
but  we  must  not.  Let  every  house  be  searched  for 
food ;  we  must  not  let  the  worthless  wretches  who  do 


224  Relekah. 

naught  but  mourn  over  the  calamities  that  have  be 
fallen  the  nation  and  pray  for  our  enemy's  success, 
devour  the  food  which  we,  the  defenders  of  the  city 
shall  so  soon  need.  Let  wisdom  teach  us  to  provide 
against  the  day  of  evil." 

These  remarks  of  Simon  met  the  hearty  approval  of 
the  commanders,  especially  Judas,  for  when  a  few 
minutes  later  he  returned  to  his  command  he  imme 
diately  divided  that  portion  of  it  that  was  not  actively 
engaged  into  small  groups ;  and  after  sending  all 
except  one  in  quest  of  plunder,  he  placed  himself  at 
the  head  of  the  remaining  group  and  led  it  from  its 
position  near  the  tower  of  Mariainne  through  the 
butchers'  bazaar  in  the  direction  of  the  upper  market. 
Stopping  a  moment  in  front  of  a  house  not  far  from 
that  of  his  father,  he  commanded  one  of  the  group  to 
try  the  door.  The  command  was  no  sooner  given 
than  obeyed,  and  finding  the  door  unlocked  the  man 
said, 

"We  shall  find  no  trouble  in  getting  in  here,  my 
lord.  The  master  of  the  house,  no  doubt,  has  the 
table  already  spread  for  us,  and  we  shall  have  a 
princely  welcome  ! " 

"  The  table  may  indeed  be  spread,"  said  Judas  with 
a  broad  smile,  amidst  the  laughter  that  had  been 
provoked  by  the  other's  irony,  "  but  it  is  with  empty 
dishes.  If  ye  can  enjoy  such  a  feast,  ye  may  enter." 

"  Surely,  my  lord  has  not  forgotten  the  words  of 
Israel's  sweet  singer,  'Thou  preparest  a  table  before 
me  in  the  presence  of  mine  enemies  '  ?  "  said  one  of 
the  group. 

"  Ha,  ha,  then  thou  thinkest  that  the  master  of  the 
house  has  prepared  a  table  before  us  in  the  presence 
of  the  Romans,"  said  another. 

"  We  must  seek  a  more  inviting  place,"  said  Judas; 
u  for  had  this  house  a  feast  to  offer  other  than  to 
loathsome  worms  the  door  would  not  be  left  unfas 
tened.  Forward  !  March !  " 

Had  Judas  looked  up  to  one  of  the  windows  in 
front  of  the  house  as  the  group  moved  away,  he  might 


Fiends  in  the  Cruise  of  Men.  225 

have  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  half-starved  family  peer 
ing  down  to  the  narrow  street,  and  hastily  devouring 
the  little  unground  and  unbaked  barley  they  had 
just  secured,  while  a  faint  smile  lighted  up  their 
emaciated  countenances  at  the  thought  of  the  simple 
yet  successful  way  in  which  they  had  deceived  the 
robbers. 

Shortly  after,  Judas  and  his  men  met  a  group  just 
coming  out  of  a  house  near  the  upper  market,  and 
laughing  boisterously.  In  answer  to  a  remark  that 
Judas  made,  the  leader  said  : 

"  Holy  Abraham  !  the  cup  of  our  delight  has  been 
filled  to  overflowing.  Ha,  ha,  ha,  we  caught  the 
wretches  snatching  their  bread  half  baked  out  of  the 
fire,  and  succeeded  after  beating  them  almost  insen 
sible  in  plucking  it  out  of  their  hands.  By  the  big 
toe  of  Goliath  !  they  fought  like  wild  beasts,  and  one 
of  them  came  nigh  choking  by  trying — ha,  ha — to 
swallow  a  large  morsel  of  bread." 

"  Did  ye  find  no  grain  in  the  house  ?  "  asked  Judas. 

"  We  did,  my  lord ;  nearly  a  bushel  of  wheat  which 
had  been  carefully  concealed  in  the  upper  room " 
was  the  reply. 

"  Good !  but  did  ye  not  punish  the  wretches  for 
concealing  it  ?  " 

"  The  Lord  do  so  to  me  and  more  also  if  we  did 
not.  Some  of  them  will  need' no  more  bread." 

"  The  Lord  go  with  you,"  said  Judas,  leading  his 
men  away  from  the  others,  and  turning  into  a  street 
that  ran  parallel  with  the  western  wall  and  a  few 
rods  from  it.  After  following  this  street  a  short  dis 
tance  past  houses  of  which  some  of  the  doors  showed 
marks  of  violence,  while  others  though  intact  stood 
wide  open,  revealing  the  courts  around  which  the 
houses  had  been  b.uilt,  the  plunderers  came  to  a 
house  whose  outer  door  was  securely  fastened. 

"  As  the  Lord  liveth !  "  exclaimed  Judas,  "  our 
search  shall  not  be  in  vain ;  for  the  worthless  dogs 
that  live  here  surely  have  abundance  of  food,  else 
they  would  not  shut  themselves  up  so  securely. 


226  EebeJcah. 

Bring  here  your  bars ;  we  will  show  the  base 
wretches  that  even  iron  bolts  cannot  prevent  us 
from  partaking  of  their  feast." 

The  door  was  very  strong,  and  from  the  numerous 
marks  which  it  bore  it  had  already  suffered  one  or 
more  violent  attacks,  without  giving  way.  This  fact, 
however,  instead  of  discouraging  Judas,  led  him  to 
think  that  the  door  had  been  weakened  not  a  little, 
and  that  it  could  not  long  resist  the  heavy  blows  and 
pressure  of  the  iron  bars  which  were  now  at  work 
upon  it. 

While  the  door  was  being  attacked  the  owner  of 
the  house  with  his  wife,  three  children,  and  aged 
father  presented  a  fearful  spectacle  in  an  inner  room 
in  the  second  story.  Of  the  old  man  but  little  was 
left  except  the  skeleton,  and  he  was  too  weak  to 
raise  himself  to  a  sitting  posture  on  the  rug  on  which 
he  lay.  The  condition  of  the  son  and  his  wife  was 
but  little  better.  The  children,  for  whose  sake  the 
parents  had  abstained  almost  entirely  from  food  for 
several  days,  though  showing  signs  of  want,  were  not 
so  weak  but  that  they  could  move  about  the  room 
with  ease.  When  they  heard  the  first  blows  fall  on 
the  door,  they  were  all  Seized  with  terror,  and  the 
children  began  to  cry  for  the  few  crusts  that  were 
still  left,  lest  the  robbers  should  have  them. 

"  Wait,  my  beloved,  be  patient,"  said  the  mother 
in  a  weak,  trembling  voice,  "  the  door  is  strong,  and 
will  doubtless  resist  the  violent  assault  of  the  un 
godly,  as  it  did  yesterday.  If  you  eat  all  that  is  left 
to-day  you  will  have  none  for  to-morrow." 

"  Let  them  have  it  now,  Rachel,  let  them  have  it," 
whispered  the  old  man. 

"  O,  mamma,  I  want  bread  !  Give  me  bread  ! " 
cried  the  youngest  child,  a  boy  about  four  years  old, 
taking  hold  of  his  mother's  hand. 

"  Why  don't  you  give  us  bread  ?  "  cried  each  of 
the  others  impatiently. 

"Hold  your  peace,  my  children,  else  you  will 
break  my  heart,"  said  the  mother. 


Fiends  in  the  G-uise  of  Men.  227 

"  If  my  ears  deceive  me  not,  the  door  begins  to 
give  way,  Rachel ;  so  let  the  children  have  what  re 
mains,"  said  the  father  with  an  effort.  "  It  is  far 
better  that  they  should  eat  it  than  that  the  brazen 
villains  who  call  themselves  our  protectors  should 
have  it." 

Finally  yielding  to  these  importunities  the  mother 
seized  one  of  the  keys  that  hung  at  her  side  and 
dragged  herself  with  great  difficulty  to  a  cupboard 
at  the  north  end  of  the  room,  followed  by  the  chil 
dren.  When  the  cupboard  door  was  thrown  open 
the  light  from  a  window  near  by  revealed  three  or 
four  pieces  of  bread  on  the  middle  shelf,  which  the 
mother  after  a  vain  effort  to  control  the  fearful  crav 
ing  that  now  took  possession  of  her,  pounced  upon 
like  a  ravenous  beast ;  and  as  she  thrust  one  of  them 
into  her  mouth,  the  children  wrested  the  remainder 
from  her  hands,  and  began  to  quarrel  for  the  largest 
piece.  The  sight  of  the  bread  had  a  strange  effect 
upon  the  other  two  also.  The  old  man  begged  for  a 
crumb,  only  a  crumb,  and  the  children's  father  was 
about  to  pluck  the  food  from  the  little  boy's  hand, 
when  a  terrible  yell  announced  that  the  door  had  at 
last  been  forced  open.  A  moment  more,  and  Judas 
with  his  fiendish  group  rushed  into  the  room.  For 
an  instant  the  appalling  scene  before  them  caused 
them  to  recoil ;  then  they  laid  violent  hands  upon 
every  member  of  the  family,  and  wrested  from  the 
children  the  small  fragments  that  remained.  The 
old  man  expired  as  the  plunderers  entered  the  room, 
the  husband  and  wife  were  beaten  insensible  amidst 
the  cries  of  their  children,  and  the  latter  were 
knocked  against  the  wall,  kicked  about,  and  raised 
from  the  floor  by  their  hair ;  because  they  had  eaten 
what  was  rightly  their  own,  and  because  they  insisted 
that  there  was  no  more  food  in  the  house.  Although 
Judas  did  not  join  in  these  cruelties;  yet  he  encour 
aged  the  tormentors  with  his  presence  and  smiles, 
and  gave  the  old  man  a  kick  or  two  to  see  whether 
he  was  really  dead  or  not.  When  the  family  had,  as 


228  Relekah. 

he  thought,  been  duly  punished  for  daring  to  eat 
what  belonged  to  them,  he  commanded  his  men  to 
search  the  house  and  take  whatever  of  value  they 
found  in  it.  The  owner  of  the  house  belonged  to 
the  higher  middle  class,  and  was,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  in  prosperous  circumstances.  During  the 
ravages  of  the  zealots  and  Idumeans,  however,  his 
property  had  shared  the  common  fate  ;  so  that  there 
was  but  little  left  to  satisfy  the  monstrous  greed  of 
Judas  and  his  band. 

When  the  pillagers  returned  into  the  street,  they 
passed  several  groups  that  were  on  the  same  nefa 
rious  errand  with  themselves,  and  turning  into  one  of 
the  lanes  that  descended  the  eastern  slope  of  Mount 
Zion  they  broke  into  other  houses ;  but  met  with  no 
great  success.  It  was  about  sunset  when  they  con 
cluded  to  return  to  the  tower  of  Mariamne,  and  as 
they  approached  the  bridge  connecting  the  Upper 
City  with  the  Temple,  they  were  met  by  Judas's  father, 
who  was  more  bitter  than  ever  in  his  condemnation 
of  the  mad  career  of  his  son  and  the  rest  of  the  sedi 
tious.  Nor  did  he  hesitate  to  denounce  his  son's 
wickedness  in  the  strongest  terms. 

"  Let  the  day  in  which  thou  wast  born  be  forgot 
ten,"  said  the  indignant  father ;  "  let  it  pass  away  as 
a  shadow.  Let  it  not  be  known  to  the  generations  to 
come  that  Merto  the  priest  has  begotten  a  robber,  a 
villain,  a  heartless  assassin.  The  cries  of  those  whose 
last  morsel  thou  hast  plucked  out  of  their  mouths 
have  ascended  into  heaven.  The  avenger  of  the 
poor  and  afflicted  will  plead  the  cause  of  those  whom 
thou  and  thy  followers  have  robbed  of  the  plants  and 
herbs  which  they  gathered  in  the  valleys  at  the  risk 
of  their  lives  that  they  might  satisfy  the  hunger  of 
their  little  ones." 

These  words  were  received  with  much  laughter  by 
Judas  and  his  followers  ;  yet  Merto  would  have  con 
tinued  his  reproaches  much  longer  had  they  waited 
to  hear  him.  As  it  was  he  continued  his  course  up 
the  Mount  instead,  muttering  to  himself  as  he  went. 


An  Unwelcome  Suitor.  229 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

AN   UNWELCOME  SUITOK. 

NONE  were  more  bitter  in  their  denunciations  of 
the  depredations,  with  which  Judas  was  so  closely  con 
nected,  and  which  now  became  so  common,  thanRe- 
bekah  and  her  father.  Their  own  freedom  from  mo 
lestation  did  not  bias  their  minds  in  the  least;  for 
they  knew  that  the  selfishness  of  Judas  rather  than 
Simon's  favor  kept  them  from  sharing  the  common 
fate.  Yet  they  were  thankful  that  God .  gave  them 
such  wonderful  proof  of  his  power  to  bring  good  out 
of  evil.  But  how  long  would  they  be  exempted  from 
the  ravages  of  the  robbers  ?  They  knew  that  the 
favor  of  selfish  men  like  Judas  is  very  uncertain. 
They  also  knew  that  neither  favor  nor  command 
would  be  a  guarantee  of  security  in  a  more  desperate 
condition  of  affairs.  While  the  trend  of  events  showed 
that  a  state  of  sheer  anarchy  was  possible  any  mo 
ment,  however,  they  tried  not  to  borrow  trouble,  and 
hoped  that  the  activity  of  the  Romans  would  avert 
such  a  dire  calamity.  With  thousands  of  others  who 
were  more  in  sympathy  with  the  besiegers  than  with 
the  seditious,  they  watched  the  raising  of  the  enemy's 
banks  as  anxiously  as  if  their  lives  depended  on  their 
completion.  We  can  imagine  their  consternation  and 
disappointment,  then,  when  suddenly,  as  the  Romans 
were  bringing  their  engines  to  the  wall,  the  seditious 
sallied  forth  in  great  numbers  and  set  fire  first  to  one 
bank,  then  to  another,  until  at  length  the  whole  works 
were  demolished.  In  vain  did  Rebekah  endeavor  to 
suppress  her  emotions,  as  she  saw  the  fruit  of  so 
much  labor  and  pains  being  consumed  by  the  flames. 
Nor  did  Herodion  succeed  much  better  in  concealing 
his  feelings,  although  he  tried  to  convince  his 
daughter  that  all  was  for  the  best. 

When  the  smoke  ascended  from  the  last  remains  of 
the  bank  he  left  Rebekah  for  a  short  time  in  order  to 


230  EebeTcah. 

inquire  into  the  particulars  touching  the  events  of  the 
day,  while  she  sat  with  one  arm  resting  on  the  para 
pet,  looking  anxiously  in  the  direction  of  the  tower  of 
Antonia.  Of  the  nature  of  her  thoughts  we  can  only 
judge  from  an  occasional  tear  which  glistened  on  her 
cheek  in  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  Presently  she 
heard  a  footstep  with  which  she  was  far  better  ac 
quainted  than  pleased. 

"  The  wretch !  "  said  she  to  herself ;  "  why  should 
he  thus  happen  to  come  when  my  father  is  absent? 
Would  that  I  had  gone  down  to  the  house  when  my 
father  left  !  Bat  there  is  no  help  for  it  now.  I  must 
nerve  myself  to  meet  the  inevitable,  as  Priscus  often 
does  when  he  goes  into  battle.  Would  that  he  was 
approaching  instead  of — " 

"  Peace  to  thee,  fair  Rebekah,"  said  Judas,  break 
ing  in  upon  her  reflections,  "  and  to — ah !  do  I  find 
thee  alone  ?  I  had  expected  to  find  thy  father  with 
thee  as  usual.  I  hope  he  is  not  sick,  for  that  were 
indeed  a  great  affliction  to — to  us  all." 

"  My  father  is  well,  if  not  with  me  as  usual"  said 
Rebekah,  as  he  leaned  on  the  parapet  beside  her. 

"  Ah !  then  God  be  blessed.  But  art  thou  well? 
Thou  seemest  to  become  thinner  and  paler  every  day?" 

"  So  do  thousands  of  my  neighbors." 

"  Ay,  but  thou,  unlike  them,  hast  no  lack  of  food." 

"  Nor  would  they  be  in  want  of  bread,  had  they  not 
been  robbed  by  those  who  claim  to  be  their  protec 
tors." 

"Thou  hast  truly  spoken.  Yet  thou  must  not 
think  that  these  robbers  are  authorized  by  their  com 
manders  to  deprive  the  people  of  the  little  food  they 
have. 

"  If  my  eyes  have  not  deceived  me,  some  of  the 
commanders  themselves  have  been  partakers  of  their 
crimes,"  said  Rebekah  with  a  meaning  look. 

"  Art  thou  not  mistaken,  Rebekah  ?  "  said  Judas 
with  wonderful  composure.  "  For  none  of  the  com 
manders  would  thus  abase  themselves.  From  here 


An  Unwelcome  Suitor.  231 

thou  mightest  easily  mistake  some  of  the  robbers  for 
those  whom  tney  should  obey." 

" Might  I  not  also  mistake  them  for  Romans? 
Perhaps  my  eyes  are  dim  with  age  or  with  much 
drinking !  " 

"  Ha,  ha,  surely  thy  tongue  has  lost  none  of  its 
sharpness,"  said  Judas,  a  little  nettled.  Then  he  con 
tinued  after  a  short  pause  in  an  altered  voice, 
"  Would  that  thou  wouldst  teach  me  how  to  please 
thee.  Ah,  what  would  I  not  give  for  one  word  or 
one  glance  such  as  thou  bestowest  on  thy  father ! 
When  thou  speakest  to  him,  thy  tongue  is  like  honey 
comb  full  of  sweetness,  and  thy  words  drop  like  honey, 
in  a  garden  of  roses.  But  when  thou  speakest  to  me 
thy  tongue  is  a  two-edged  sword  against  which  I 
shield  my  heart  in  vain,  and  thy  words  are  drops  of 
poison.  Is  thy  father  so  much  better  than  I  ?  Would 
that  thou  couldst  see  my  heart,  and  discern  my 
thoughts  !  When  I  first  beheld  thee,  O  fair  rose  of 
Sharon,  I  loved  thee.  As  yonder  Holy  Place  is 
among  the  temples  of  the  world,  so  art  thou  among 
women  ;  and  '  as  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water 
brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee.'  Permit  me 
once  more  then,  O  sweetest  among  ten  thousands,  to 
plead  my  cause  before  thee.  Turn  not  away  from  me 
as  in  former  days ;  bestow  but  the  hundredth  part  of 
thy  love  on  me  and  I  will  be  satisfied,  if  thou  only  be 
mine." 

Nothing  could  have  been  more  painful  to  Rebekah 
than  listening  to  these  impassioned  words ;  yet,  like 
a  martyr,  she  resigned  to  the  inevitable,  and  buried 
her  face  in  her  hands.  Much  as  she  hated  Judas  she 
now  pitied  him.  It  pained  her  to  think  that  he  loved 
her ;  yet  she  had  the  consolation  that  she  had  never 
encouraged  him.  She  did  not  wish  to  hurt  his  feel 
ings  ;  yet  hurt  them  she  must,  for  as  heretofore  she 
could  give  him  not  the  least  encouragement.  In  her 
mind  he  suffered  terribly  in  comparison  with  Priscus. 
Indeed  she  said  to  herself  that  had  Priscus  never 
lived  she  could  not  accept  her  cousin's  suit.  She 


232  Relekah. 

decided,  however,  to  lessen  rather  than  increase  the 
sting  which  the  rejection  of  his  suit  necessarily  in 
volved;  therefore  when  he  ceased  speaking  she 
looked  up  and  said, 

"I  thank  thee,  O  Judas,  for  thy  high  estimate  of 
me ;  yet  must  I  tell  thee  that  I  am  unworthy  of  such 
regard,  nor  can  I  ever  reward  it  in  the  manner  in 
which  thou  desirest.  As  I  have  already  told  thee, 
more  than  once,  I  love  another." 

Deep  silence  followed  these  words,  during  which 
Judas  strove  with  much  difficulty  to  subdue  his  feel 
ings,  while  Rebekah  essayed  to  conceal  the  few  tears 
that  forced  themselves  into  her  eyes.  Her  answer 
was  hardly  different  from  what  Judas  had  expected ; 
yet  he  was  not  willing  to  give  up  without  trying  the 
effect  of  other  motives. 

"  He  whom  thou  lovest,"  said  he,  at  last  breaking 
the  silence,  "  is  a  Roman,  and  therefore  not  a  lover 
of  our  people  ;  a  pagan,  hence  not  a  worshiper  of 
our  God.  Is  he  then  worthy  of  thy  love  ?  Should 
the  lamb  love  the  wolf,  or  the  hart  the  lion  ?  N\v, 
can  the  wolf  love  the  lamb,  or  the  lion  the  hart  ?  He 
that  hates  our  people  can  not  love  thee,  and  he  that 
seeks  to  distroy  the  defenders  of  the  Holy  City  can 
have  no  good  designs  towards  those  who  are  defend 
ed.  Then  cast  the  Roman  from  thy  heart  and  re 
membrance  forever,  O  sweet  daughter  of  Herodion, 
and  let  me  try  to  win  thy  love.  Thou  art  a  child  of 
Abraham;  so  am  I.  Thou  art  a  worshiper  of  the 
true  and  living  God  ;  so  am  I.  Am  I  not  also  a  son 
of  thy  father's  sister,  and  a  leader  of  the  people? 
Have  I  not  been  kind  to  thee  and  thy  father?  Is  not 
your  table  laden  with  blessings,  while  the  whole  city 
perishes  with  hunger  ?  Am  I  then  unworthy  of  thy 
least  thought?  If  thou  wilt  become  my  wife,  I  will 
adorn  thee  with  the  most  precious  jewels,  and  make 
thee  richer  and  more  glorious  than  the  queen  of 
Sheba.  When  Messiah  comes,  and  he  is  almost  her.e, 
thy  charms,  O  fair  daughter  of  Zion,  shall  grace  his 
court,  and  thou  shalt  be  the  chief  among  princesses." 


An  Unwelcome  Suitor.  23S 

This  speech  banished  every  vestige  of  pity  from 
Rebekah's  heart,  and  destroyed  all  the  regard  she  had 
for  Judas's  feelings.  His  base  insinuations,  false  rea 
soning,  and  vain  promises  could  have  no  influence 
with  her  except  to  fire  her  indignation.  Therefore 
Judas  no  sooner  paused  than  she  fixed  her  flashing 
eyes  upon  him,  and  poured  out  a  torrent  of  words 
upon  him. 

"  Am  I  a  child,"  said  she,  "  that  thou  shouldst  thus 
talk  to  me  ?  Art  thou  as  mad  as  thou  art  base  ? 
Were  the  whole  earth  thine,  and  were  thy  riches 
heaped  up  like  mountains,  I  could  never  love  thee.  I 
had  rather  be  a  wanderer  in  the  earth,  without  home 
and  friends,  clad  in  rags  and  fed  with  husks,  than  be 
with  thee  in  a  palace  of  gold,  arrayed  with  glory  and 
beauty,  and  faring  sumptuously  every  day.  Art  thou 
my  kinsman  ?  Tell  it  not  in  Gath,  publish  it  not  in 
the  streets  of  Askelon !  Art  thou  a  leader  of  the 
people  ?  The  righteous  sing  not  thy  praises.  Thou 
boastest  of  thy  kindness  to  us  ;  who  is  the  destroyer 
of  our  freedom?  Thou  gloriest  in  thy  riches;  but 
hearken,  '  Trust  not  in  oppression,  and  become  not 
vain  in  robbery  ;  if  riches  increase,  set  not  your  heart 
upon  them  ?  Art  thou  a  worshiper  of  the  true  God  ? 
How  much  more  he  whom  thou  callest  a  heathen,  for 
he  serves  God  in  deed  and  in  truth,  eschewing  evil 
and  loving  righteousness.  Kill  me  if  thou  wilt,  cut 
me  in  pieces,  and  throw  my  heart  to  the  dogs;  I 
shall  never  consent  to  become  thy  wife." 

The  eyes  of  the  son  of  Merto  flashed  fire  at  these 
stinging  words,  and  his  hand  strayed  nervously  more 
than  once  to  the  hilt  of  his  sword  as  he  listened  to 
them.  But  to  Rebekah's  surprise  he  offered  her  no 
violence.  Whether  this  was  due  to  divine  interpo 
sition  or  some  other  cause  she  was  not  able  to  tell ; 
nor  did  Judas  give  her  much  time  to  reflect  before 
he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  the  most  reckless 
manner. 

"  Wert  thou  other  than  thou  art,  and  could  I  slay 
thee  without  destroying  my  own  plans,  my  sword 


284  EebeJcah. 

even  now  should  cleave  thee  in  twain.  But  I  will 
spare  thy  life  that  I  may  conquer  thy  pride.  Thou 
shalt  bend  to  my  will  as  a  bough  does  to  the  spirit 
of  the  storm.  I  have  never  yielded  to  Rome,  shall  I 
yield  to  thee  ?  As  the  Lord  liveth,  it  shall  not  be 
said  that  the  son  of  Merto  has  been  defeated  by  a 
woman.  Thou  art  in  my  hands,  O  proud  daughter 
of  Herodibn,  and  nothing  but  death  shall  deliver  thee 
from  my  power.  That  dog  of  a  Roman  may  have 
thy  love,  but  I  swear  by  heaven  and  by  yonder  Holy 
Place  that  he  shall  never  marry  thee !  My  curse 
shall  follow  him,  and  vengeance  shall  overtake  him. 
Nor  shall  any  of  our  enemies  escape ;  the  avenger  is 
already  on  their  track.  Their  banks  are  all  destroyed, 
and  many  of  their  engines  are  in  ashes.  They  said, 
'Let  us  complete  our  works  and  bring  forth  the 
battering-rams.'  But  John  said,  'Let  us  undermine 
their  banks,  and  set  fire  to  the  beams  that  support 
them.'  And  it  was  done.  Then  Tephtheus,  and 
Megassarus,  and  Chagiras  said,  '  Two  of  their  banks 
are  demolished,  but  are  there  not  two  more  left? 
Let  us  take  torches  and  set  their  machines  on  fire 
that  they  may  set  fire  to  the  banks.'  And  it 
was  done.  Ha,  ha,  the  conquerors  of  the  world 
wailed  like  children !  they  resisted  the  flames  and 
our  forces  in  vain,  and  the  besiegers  became  the 
besieged,  for  we  followed  them  even  to  their  camp, 
and  attacked  their  walls.  Put  not  thy  trust  in  the 
legions  of  Rome,  then,  O  thou  hater  of  Israel,  nor  let 
thy  dreams  be  of  the  un circumcised,  for  they  shall 
all  vanish  like  yonder  smoke,  and  thou  shalt  have  no 
husband  but  me." 

"  I  trust  not  in  the  arm  of  flesh,  O  vain  boaster," 
said  Rebekah ;  "  my  trust  is  in  God,  and  were  the 
Roman  army  swept  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth  this 
moment,  God  will  still  be  my  Deliverer.  But  thy 
predictions  shall  not  be  fulfilled.  The  enemy  is 
discouraged  but  not  defeated,  and  ye  who  call  your 
selves  our  defenders  but  really  are  our  tormentors, 
shall  not  escape  their  vengeance.  Thou  art  not  ig- 


An  Unwelcome  Suitor.  235 

norant  of  the  words  of  the  prophet  Isaiah: — 4I  will 
camp  against  thee  round  about,  and  lay  siege  against 
thte  with  a  mount,  and  I  will  raise  forts  against  thee. 
And  thou  shalt  be  brought  down,  and  shalt  speak 
out  of  the  ground.  .  .  .  Thou  shalt  be  visited  of 
the  Lord  of  hosts  with  thunder,  and  with  earthquake, 
and  great  noise,  with  storm  and  tempest,  and  the 
flame  of  devouring  fire.*  Repent  then,  O  son  of 
Merto,  ere  vengeance  shall  overtake  thee,  for  Jerusa 
lem  must  fall.  The  decree  has  gone  forth,  and  who 
shall  recall  it?" 

"  Pervert  not  the  Scriptures,  O  false  interpreter," 
said  Judas  with  a  frown ;  "  that  prophecy  has  long 
ago  been  fulfilled.  I  tell  thee  our  Deliverer  is  nigh 
at  hand,  and  we  shall  yet  be  victorious.  The  God  of 
our  fathers  is  not  deaf  that  he  should  not  hear  the 
cries  of  his  people,  nor  blind  that  he  should  not  see 
the  cruelty  of  our  enemies.  The  thousands  who  have 
been  crucified  because  they  dared  to  venture  into  the 
valleys  in  quest  of  food  have  not  suffered  on  their 
cross  of  shame  for  naught." 

"  True,"  said  Rebekah,  interrupting  him  ;  "  but 
punishment  shall  be  visited  upon  thee  and  thy  fel 
lows  and  not  upon  the  Romans.  It  was  ye  that  forced, 
them  into  danger  by  robbing  them  of  their  substance. 
Was  it  not  ye  also  that  brought  their  families  to  the 
walls,  and  made  them  believe  that  the  crucified  had 
suffered  because  they  had  fled  to  the  Romans?  But 
the  chief  cause  of  their  shameful  death  was  the  cruci 
fixion  of  the  Messiah.  Nor  is  justice  yet  satisfied." 

"  Judas  !  Judas !  "  cried  a  voice  at  the  foot  of  the 
stairway,  causing  Rebekah  to  pause.  "  Simon  desires 
to  see  thee  immediately,  my  son.  Make  haste  to 
come  down ;  the  messenger  awaits  thy  coming." 

Judas  made  no  reply  to  the  call,  but  muttered 
something  to  himself,  and  as  he  turned  to  go  he  said, 
in  a  stern  voice, 

"  Remember,  before  the  siege  comes  to  an  end  thou 
must  be  mine.  Meanwhile  thou  shalt  be  closely 
watched  as  heretofore." 


286  Relekah. 

"  Thou  shalt  wed  a  corpse  then,"  was  the  reply. 
Heaving  a  sigh  of  relief,  Rebekah  descended  into 
the  house  soon  after  Judas  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

THE  HARVEST   OF  DEATH. 

WHILE  Judas,  with  a  sore  heart  and  a  clouded 
brow  directed  his  steps  towards  Simon's  headquarters, 
the  Roman  commanders  having  been  summoned  to  a 
council  of  war  seated  themselves  in  due  order  in 
Titus's  tent.  Judging  from  the  vexed  expression  on 
their  faces,  they  all  keenly  felt  the  terrible  reverse 
the  army  had  just  suffered  in  the  destruction  of  the 
banks.  They  were  all  tried  warriors,  and  all  with 
the  exception  of  Titus,  who  was  only  about  thirty 
years  of  age,  had  passed  the  meridian  of  life.  The 
apparent  incongruity  between  the  comparatively 
youthful  appearance  of  the  commander-in-chief  and 
the  venerable  aspect  of  his  councilors  attracted  less 
attention  than  we  may  suppose,  for  the  wonderful 
feats  of  valor  and  skill  which  Titus  had  already  per 
formed  declared  him  to  have  no  equal  even  among 
the  bravest  of  them.  Nor  was  he  inferior  to  any  of 
them  either  in  looks  or  soldierly  bearing.  Being 
naturally  attractive,  and  possessing  all  the  accom 
plishments  of  a  highly  bred  Roman,  he  seemed  to  be 
a  second  Apollo  as  he  sat  in  the  presence  of  that 
august  body,  in  his  full  armor,  except  the  helmet. 

When  all  the  commanders  were  seated  Titus  briefly 
reviewed  the  events  of  the  past  few  days  and  showed 
the  necessity  of  some  speedy  action  in  view  of  the 
discouraging  situation  they  were  in.  In  reponse  to  his 
request  for  a  free  expression  of  thought  on  the  part  of 
the  council,  one  of  the  commanders  arose  and  said, 

"I  am  not  a  Cicero,  O  Csesar,  but  I  am  a  Roman, 
and  being  a  Roman  I  am  constrained  to  suggest  what 
I  regard  the  best  course  to  pursue  in  view  of  the 
humiliating  defeat  which  we  have  just  suffered.  We 


The  Harvest  of  Death.  237 

are  now,  O  Ceesar,  fully  convinced  that  the  city  can 
not  be  taken  by  the  efforts  of  only  a  part  of  the  army. 
Therefore  I  suggest  that  our  whole  force  be  brought 
against  it,  for  we  shall  thus  be  able  both  to  sustain 
our  attacks,  and  overwhelm  the  enemy  with  our 
darts." 

These  remarks  were  favorably  received  by  a  few 
of  the  commanders  ;  the  more  reserved,  however, 
were  in  favor  of  a  different  course,  and  one  of  them, 
whose  gray  hair  and  sunburnt  face  denoted  years  of 
hard  service,  after  much  deliberation  cleared  his 
throat  and  said, 

"  None,  O  Caesar,  feel  more  deeply  the  loss  we 
have  sustained  in  the  destruction  of  our  works,  nor 
has  any  one  in  this  council  a  greater  desire  to  punish 
the  enemy  for  causing  this  enormous  loss  to  us  than 
myself;  yet  I  doubt  the  wisdom  of  bringing  the 
entire  army  against  the  city,  while  there  is  a  far 
better  and  safer  way  to  secure  our  object.  Despair 
can  be  conquered  only  by  famine  ;  hence,  O  Cassar,  I 
am  in  favor  either  of  raising  the  banks  again,  or  of 
lying  still  before  the  city  so  that  the  besieged  be  able 
neither  to  come  outside  the  wall  nor  to  procure  pro 
visions.  Having  abundance  of  food  we  shall  not  suffer 
by  a  delay  ;  but  every  moment  weakens  the  strength 
of  the  enemy." 

This  speaker  was  followed  by  others,  some  of  whom 
thought  that  the  re-raising  of  the  banks  would  be  the 
best  course  to  adopt,  while  the  rest  advocated  the 
suspension  of  all  active  measures  in  favor  of  a  quiet 
investment  of  the  city. 

After  giving  due  time  to  the  discussion  of  these 
various  schemes,  Titus  proceeded  to  give  his  own 
views.  He  dwelt  at  considerable  length  upon  the 
impracticability  of  what  had  been  suggested ;  then 
continuing  he  said, 

"  With  due  respect  to  your  opinions  I  wish  now  to 
state  what  seems  best  to  me  under  the  circumstances. 
It  is  that  we  build  a  wall  around  the  entire  city. 
This  we  can  do  with  perfect  safety  and  without  waste 


238  EebeJcah. 

of  time,  for  the  greatness  of  our  army  and  the  favor 
of  God  are  sufficient  to  overcome  all  difficulties. 
Have  we  not  already  done  great  things,  and  if  we 
should  fail,  is  it  not  better  to  fail  in  a  great  undertak 
ing  than  to  be  satisfied  with  little  things  ?  But  we  can 
not,  must  not  fail.  Did  not  Csesar  say,  c  I  came,  I 
saw,  I  conquered  '  ?  Let  this  be  our  motto.  If  we 
would  have  Csesar's  success  we  must  have  Caesar's 
wisdom  and  daring.  This  great  undertaking  which 
I  propose  to  you  will  not  only  add  new  luster  to  our 
glory,  but  also  hasten  the  fall  of  the  city.  It  will 
shut  up  the  enemy  to  famine  and  despair,  and  should 
they  still  refuse  to  surrender,  we  can  raise  the  banks 
again  and  overcome  them  in  their  weakness." 

The  speedy  adoption  of  Titus'  scheme  followed 
this  speech,  and  the  commanders  were  dismissed  soon 
after  with  orders  to  assign  to  the  various  legions  and 
cohorts  their  several  tasks. 

The  undertaking  was  a  prodigious  one,  and  under 
ordinary  circumstances  would  have  required  two  or 
three  months  to  complete  it ;  but  such  was  the  alac 
rity  and  diligence  of  the  soldiers,  and  so  great  were 
their  efforts  to  excel  each  other  that  it  took  only 
three  days  to  build  a  wall  nearly  four  miles  long.  As 
soon  as  it  was  completed,  Titus  stationed  strong  gar 
risons  at  certain  intervals  along  its  whole  length, 
and  committed  the  oversight  of  all  the  watches  save 
one  to  the  commanders  of  the  legions,  he  himself  tak 
ing  charge  of  the  first. 

One  of  the  garrisons  occupied  an  elevated  point  a 
little  west  of  the  Lower  Pool  of  Gihon,  and  was 
commanded  by  Priscus,  who  was  frequently  seen 
pacing  that  part  of  the  Roman  wall  committed  to  his 
charge,  and  keeping  a  close  watch  both  of  his  men 
and  of  the  movements  of  the  besieged.  Although  his 
mind  reverted  frequently  to  Rebekah,  he  could  not 
help  being  deeply  impressed  with  the  constantly  in 
creasing  number  of  dead  bodies  cast  into  the  valleys 
from  the  city.  He  was  pausing  almost  for  the  thou 
sandth  time  to  view  the  appalling  scene  before  him 


The  Harvest  of  Death.  239 

when  he  was   startled   by  a  familiar  voice,  saying, 

"  Ha,  ha,  dost  thou  contemplate  a  feast,  my  Pris- 
cus  ?  The  dogs  and  jackals  can  afford  to  be  gen 
erous  now-a-days ;  nor  need  the  vultures  begrudge 
thee  a  good  meal." 

"  Wouldst  thou  believe  it,  my  Marcus,"  said  Pris- 
cus,  turning  towards  the  decurion ;  "  I  was  almost 
wishing  I  had  no  eyes.  That  awful  sight  makes  my 
heart  sick."  ,^ 

"Hercle  ! "  said  Marcus  as  he  reached  the  spot 
where  Priscus  stood ;  "  I  am  beginning  to  wish  I  had 
no  nose  I  This  abominable  smell  destroys  my  ap 
petite.  Curse  the  confounded  idiots!  had  they  sur 
rendered  to  us  before  famine  overtook  them  they 
would  now  be  feasting  themselves  instead  of  afford 
ing  a  feast  to  voracious  beasts  and  worms  !  " 

"  Curse  not  the  dead,  for  they  are  the  victims  of 
tyranny  and  cruelty.  Curse  rather  the  heartless  vil 
lains  that  have  robbed  them  of  all  they  had,  subject 
ing  them  to  agonies  worse  than  those  of  hell,  and 
forcing  them  into  this  most  horrible  fate.  Would 
that  they  were  there  instead  of  their  innocent  vic 
tims  ;  but  God  wills  it  otherwise.  Yet  their  day  of 
reckoning  must  come,  and  may  it  come  speedily." 

"  Like  Caesar  thou  art  too  lenient,  far  too  lenient 
in  thy  views,  my  Priscus.  If  these  victims,  as  thou 
callest  them,  were  peaceably  inclined,  why  did  they 
not  avail  themselves  of  Caesar's  gracious  offers  ?  " 

"  Because,  O  Marcus,  they  were  too  closely  watched 
by  the  seditious.  It  would  have  been  possible  for 
the  men  to  reach  us  in  safety ;  but  they  had  dear  ones 
whom  they  could  not  forsake  and  who,  they  knew, 
could  not  escape  the  vengeance  of  the  seditious  if 
their  protectors  should  desert.  Hence  rather  than 
live  at  the  sacrifice  of  what  was  most  sacred  and  dear 
to  them,  they  preferred  to  partake  of  the  same  horrible 
fate  as  their  loved  ones." 

"  By  Jupiter,  thou  art  becoming  more  sentimental 
every  day,  O  Priscus.  Strange,  what  influence  that 
charming  Jewess  has  upon  thee.  She  will  soon 


240  Rebekah. 

cause  thee  to  believe  that  Pan  is  more  beautiful 
than  Apollo,  and  that  Jew  is  another  name  for 
Jove ! " 

"  Ha,  ha,  I  fear  thou  art  on  the  wrong  trail,"  said 
Prisons,  meaning  that  Rebekah  had  less  to  do  with 
the  nature  of  his  views  than  Christ's  spirit  had.  Then 
glancing  towards  the  city  he  said,  "  Canst  thou  see 
what  those  guards  are  doing  ?  Ah  !  I  see  now.  The 
heartless  knaves  are  showing  to  the  besieged  what 
great  abundance  of  food  they  have  that  they  might 
make  the  poor  wretches  more  sensible  of  their  want ! 
It  can  not  be  that  they  are  Romans;  yet  such  their 
armor  declares  them  to  be." 

Marcus  broke  into  a  boisterous  laugh  at  this 
remark;  then  said, 

"  Hercle  !  another  token  of  thy  new  philosophy.  I 
like  it  not,  O  Priscus  ;  it  is  far  too  feminine  for  me. 
Is  it  worse  for  a  Roman  to  taunt  a  starving  Jew  than 
it  is  for  an  Idumean  of  a  zealot  to  pluck  the  last 
morsel  from  his  mouth  ?  If  a  Roman  has  aught  to 
eat,  can  he  not  eat  it  before  a  thousand  as  well  as  in 
his  tent  if  he  so  choose  ?  " 

"  A  Roman  is  a  man,  so  is  a  Jew.  God  is  the 
father  of  them  both  ;  hence  they  are  brothers.  If  the 
Roman  is  surrounded  with  plenty  and  the  Jew  dies 
of  want,  their  common  brotherhood  at  least  requires 
that  the  one  shall  not  increase  the  sufferings  of  the 
other  by  taunting  him  with  bread." 

This  humane  view  of  the  case  did  not  escape  the 
ridicule  of  Marcus ;  yet  he  was  not  so  cruel  as  he 
seemed  to  be.  Under  all  his  roughness  and  seeming 
heartlessness  was  a  nature  that  was  capable  of  much 
love  and  sympathy.  For  this  reason  Priscus  over 
looked  much  in  him  that  he  would  have  resented  in 
a  stranger. 

While  the  centurion  was  expressing  his  disap 
proval  of  the  part  which  the  Romans  played  near 
the  wall  a  man  came  running  towards  him  from  the 
Valley  of  the  Son  of  Hinnom,  and  shortly  after  he 
was  led  to  his  presence  by  two  of  the  guards.  The 


The  Harvest  of  Death.  241 

man  was  young  but  emaciated,  and  there  was  that  in 
his  costume  and  looks  which  indicated  that  he  was 
one  of  the  Jewish  aristocracy.  The  exertion  through 
which  he  had  just  passed  had  been  a  heavy  tax  upon 
his  strength,  for  as  he  bowed  before  Priscus  he 
trembled  like  a  leaf,  and  gasped  for  breath.  Com 
manding  him  to  sit  on  the  parapet  the  centurion  said, 

"  Now  that  I  have  granted  thee  security  for  thy  life 
thou  mayest  tell  me  who  thou  art  and  what  thou 
knowest  of  the  condition  of  the  city." 

"  Tell  him  that  the  Romans  love  the  truth,  and  that 
his  words  must  bear  her  seal,"  whispered  Marcus  in 
Priscus's  ear. 

"  Presume  not  on  our  ignorance  by  telling  what 
thou  knowest  to  be  false,"  added  Priscus,  addressing 
the  deserter,  for  such  he  was. 

"  May  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  of  Isaac,  and  of 
Jacob,  do  so  to  me,  and  more,  also,  O  centurion,  if  I 
tell  thee  aught  but  the  truth.  Thy  servant  is  the  son 
of  Matthias,  the  high  priest,  who,  with  my  three  elder 
brethren,  has  just  been  arrested  and  brought  before 
the  tyrant  Simon.  Thy  servant,  having  been  fore 
warned,  was  able  to  escape." 

"  Then  thou  and  thy  brethren  have  been  partakers 
with  thy  father  of  some  crime !  "  said  Priscus. 

"  Ay,  O  centurion,  if  being  friendly  to  the  Romans 
be  a  crime,  for  we  have  never  ceased  trying  to  per 
suade  the  seditious  to  sue  for  peace,  and  save  the 
city.  When  John  became  the  leader  of  the  zealots, 
and  sallied  forth  upon  the  people  from  the  Temple,  of 
which  he  had  taken  possession,  my  father,  wishing  to 
restore  peace  in  the  city,  persuaded  the  people  to  ad 
mit  Simon  and  his  army,  not  knowing  that  he  would 
become  a  greater  tyrant  than  John.  Then  Simon,  as 
soon  as  he  had  gotten  the  city  in  his  power,  declared 
those  who  had  shown  themselves  to  be  his  best  friends, 
as  being  worthy  of  death.  Yet  did  thy  servants,  my 
father  and  his  sons,  never  cease  to  condemn  the  sedi 
tious  and  urge  the  people  to  surrender,  unto  this, 


242  Eebekah. 

"What  dost  thou  know  of  the  condition  of  the 
city?" 

"  Far  too  much,  O  centurion,  to  afford  thy  servant 
peace.  That  fearful  and  ghastly  sight  is  naught  coin- 
pared  to  what  my  eyes  have  seen  within  those  walls. 
The  City  of  the  Great  King  is  as  a  widow,  and  her 
princes  are  like  harts  that  find  no  pasture.  Her  streets 
are  as  a  battlefield,  covered  with  the  bodies  of  the 
aged,  and  her  houses  are  become  tombs,  filled  with 
the  dead  and  dying.  Children  and  young  men  wan 
der  about  the  market-places  like  shadows,  and  death 
seizes  them  as  they  search  for  food.  The  living  are 
not  able  to  bury  the  dead,  nor  do  they  mourn  for  their 
friends,  but  yearn  for  death  as  a  watchman  does  for 
the  day." 

"  Are  the  seditious  also  consumed  by  the  famine  ?  " 
said  Priscus,  in  a  husky  voice. 

"  Not  yet,"  continued  the  deserter,  "  for  they  have 
filled  their  store-houses  with  the  people's  bread.  Nor 
do  they  take  to  heart  the  miseries  which  the  people 
suffer,  but  rather  increase  them.  They  fill  the  air 
with  laughter  as  they  go  about,  plundering  the  houses 
that  are  filled  with  the  dead,  carrying  off  the  clothing 
of  those  that  have  perished,  and  trying  the  points  of 
their  swords  in  their  bodies.  Those  who  fear  death 
they  slay ;  but  those  who  long  to  be  relieved  of  their 
miseries  they  spare." 

"  The  villains  !  Is  it  they  that  cast  the  dead  into 
the  valleys  ?  " 

"  It  is.  At  first  they  ordered  that  the  dead  be 
buried  at  the  public  expense  ;  then,  seeing  that  the 
people  died  much  faster  then  they  could  be  buried, 
they  determined  to  cast  them  into  the  valleys." 

The  deserter  now  spoke  with  greater  ease  than  he 
did  at  the  beginning,  and  the  rest  of  the  interview 
was  carried  on  between  him  and  Priscus  alone.  When 
it  came  to  an  end,  the  latter  commanded  Marcus  to 
attend  to  the  Jew's  physical  wants  and  see  that  he 
reached  Titus  in  safety. 

"  Ah  I  "  said  Priscus  to  himself,  as  the  deserter  and 


.. 


A.  Conspiracy.  243 

his  escort  moved  away,  "  I  am  glad  that  my  fears  con 
cerning  the  condition  of  Rebekah  and  her  father  have 
been  removed.  His  testimony  and  her  letters  agree. 
How  I  detest  that  villain  who  calls  himself  her  cousin  ! 
How  I  would  like  to  meet  him  again  in  single  com 
bat  !  Yet  his  villainy  is  not  without  its  good  results. 
It  is  far  better  for  my  beloved  to  be  guarded  than  to 
be  in  want.  God,  I  thank  thee  for  thus  converting 
evil  into  good." 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

A   CONSPIRACY. 

IT  cannot  be  he;  yet  I  never  saw  a  man  that 
walked  more  like  him,"  said  one  of  Simon's  officers, 
a  little  later,  as  he  watched  the  Jewish  deserter  being 
escorted  past  the  tower  which  was  in  his  charge  to 
wards  the  Roman  camp.  Then,  addressing  one  of 
his  men,  he  said ;  "  Dost  thou  know  that  deserter, 
Malchus?" 

"  He  walks  like  the  youngest  son  of  Matthias,  the 
high  priest,  sir ;  but,  since  I  can  not  behold  his  face, 
I  will  not  swear  it  is  he.  Whoever  the  treacherous 
dog  might  be,  sir,  he  certainly  loves  not  our  cause. 
The  villain !  Would  that  I  could  send  this  arrow 
through  him." 

Paying  no  further  attention  to  the  guard,  the  offi 
cer  continued,  speaking  to  himself. 

"  Then  it  must  be  he,"  said  he.  "  God  speed  him 
on  his  course.  I  wish  I  were  with  him.  I  am  no 
safer  in  this  tower  than  a  condemned  criminal  is  in 
prison." 

As  he  paused,  he  looked  westward,  and  saw  a  num 
ber  of  men  being  led  out  of  the  tower  of  Mariamne 
upon  the  wall,  and  there  executed,  in  full  view  of  the 
Romans.  Of  late  he  had  been  forced  to  look  at  many 
such  barbarous  sights ;  yet  a  shiver  passed  through 
him  as  he  watched  the  execution  of  the  present  group. 
He  was  not  near  enough  to  be  able  to  tell  whether  he 


244  Rebekah. 

knew  any  of  them  or  not;  hence  he  dispatched  one 
of  his  men  to  find  out  the  particulars. 

When  the  man  returned,  he  found  the  officer  in 
one  of  the  upper  rooms  of  the  tower,  and,  being  com 
manded  to  speak,  said, 

"  Treason  has  been  discovered  in  high  places,  my 
lord ;  and  those  whom  thou  sawest  put  to  death  were 
some  of  the  offenders.  The  Lord  grant  that  all  his 
enemies  be  as  Matthias,  the  high  priest,  and  his  three 
sons." 

This  remark  had  a  very  unexpected  effect  upon  the 
officer.  A  deadly  pallor  spread  over  his  face,  which 
was  quickly  followed  by  an  angry  flush.  Being  an 
Idumean,  the  speaker  did  not  know  that  the  persons 
he  mentioned  were  intimate  friends  of  the  officer. 
Therefore  he  was  at  a  loss  to  know  the  true  meaning 
of  this  sudden  change.  Nor  was  he  any  wiser  when 
the  officer  cried, 

"  The  miscreant !  I  never  thought  he  was  so  base 
as  that.  Abaddon  take  his  sc-ul  !  Go  on." 

Continuing,  with  a  puzzled  look,  the  man  said, 

"  The  father  besought  the  Chief  Captain  to  let  him 
die  before  his  sons,  and  begged  him  to  re  member  how 
he  had  caused  the  gates  of  the  city  to  be  opened  for 
him.  But  he  was  laughed  to  scorn,  and  told  to  trust 
in  those  to  whom  he  had  intended  to  desert,  for,  per- 
adventure,  they  would  come  to  deliver  him.  Then 
Ananus,  the  son  of  Bamadus,  seized  his  sons  and 
slew  them  before  his  eyes ;  and,  last  of  all,  he  himself 
was  slain,  but  not  before  they  had  tormented  him 
with  many  jests,  and  had  heaped  curses  on  his  head." 

"Who  were  their  accusers?"  asked  the  officer,  in 
a  hoarse  voice. 

"  Judas,  the  son  of  Merto,  was  the  chief  accuser, 
my  lord ;  the  others'  names  I  did  not  learn." 

"  Was  Judas  with  Simon  when  the  high-priest  and 
his  sons  were  put  to  death?" 

"  Ay,  my  lord,  and  some  say  that  when  Matthias 
prayed  to  be  spared  the  agony  and  humiliation  of 


A  Conspiracy.  245 

seeing  his  sons  slain,  Judas  whispered  to  the  Chief 
Captain- not  to  grant  his  request." 

The  guard  was  now  dismissed,  and  the  officer  began 
to  pace  the  floor,  now  bemoaning  his  friends'  death, 
and  now  invoking  the  most  fearful  curses  on  their 
murderers.  Standing  for  a  moment  in  front  of  a 
latticed  window  facing  the  place  where  his  friends 
had  been  executed,  his  eyes  rested  on  another  cruel 
scene.  Seventeen  other  eminent  men  had  been  found 
guilty  of  intending  to  desert  to  the  Romans,  and 
were  now  subjected  to  a  common  fate.  Although 
the  officer  glanced  at  this  awful  sight  only  for  a 
moment,  it  was  enough  to  cause  him  to  adopt  a  course 
that  would  either  end  in  speedy  death  or  in  perfect 
safety.  Composing  himself  as  best  he  could  he  went 
out  among  his  men,  and  tried  to  discover  what  effect 
the  wholesale  murder  they  had  witnessed  had  on 
them.  He  was  pleased  with  the  result ;  and  at  the 
close  of  the  fourth  watch  next  morning  he  summoned 
ten  of  the  guards  into  his  presence,  and  after  secur 
ing  the  door  of  the  room,  he  called  their  attention  to 
the  events  of  the  previous  day,  and  in  conclusion 
said : 

"  Have  we  not  endured  these  miseries  long  enough, 
O  men  of  Israel?  What  do  we  hope  to  gain  by 
enduring  them  longer?  The  Messiah  whom  we  have 
so  long  expected  has  not  come,  nor  do  we  see  any 
signs  of  his  coming.  Shall  we  still  hope  for  deliver 
ance  then  ?  Do  we  not  find  famine  in  every  street 
and  every  house  ?  Has  not  Simon  become  the  execu 
tioner  of  his  benefactors  ?  Can  these  walls  prevent 
the  Romans  from  taking  the  city?  Then  let  us  no 
longer  remain  faithful  to  Simon ;  but  let  us  deliver 
ourselves  and  this  wall  to  the  Romans,  and  thus  save 
both  ourselves  and  the  city ;  for  what  is  there  to  save 
us  from  the  fate  of  our  friends,  if  we  take  not  this 
opportunity  to  escape  ?  " 

This  speech  had  the  desired  effect  upon  all  who 
heard  it,  and  the  officer,  dismissing  them  for  the  time 
being  with  the  admonition  to  maintain  absolute 


246  Rebekah. 

secrecy,  waited  for  the  arrival  of  an  opportune 
moment.  Then  after  dispatching  all  except  his  fel 
low  conspirators  in  different  directions  he  proceeded 
to  carry  out  his  scheme.  Posting  his  men  at  different 
stations  to  avoid  suspicion  he  ascended  to  the  top  of 
the  tower,  and  after  cautiously  scanning  the  sur 
roundings  he  put  his  hand  to  the  side  of  his  mouth 
and  called  the  attention  of  the  Roman  garrison  that 
occupied  a  position  in  front  of  him  between  Akra  and 
the  Xystus. 

"  Ha,  ha,  another  Castor,  by  Jupiter,"  said  one  of 
the  guards.  "  Perpol !  I  am  not  anxious  to  have  my 
head  cracked  with  a  stone." 

"  Hercle  !  nature  has  already  done  that  to  thee  with 
her  little  finger,"  said  another,  provoking  a  chorus  of 
laughter. 

"  Ho !  there,  ye  Romans,  draw  nigh  unto  me,  and 
hearken  to  my  words.  Hasten,  I  pray  you,  for  I  have 
a  message  from  God  to  you,"  cried  the  Jewish  officer 
again. 

"  Thou  art  a  false  prophet;  we  will  not  hear  thee," 
was  the  reply. 

"Do  ye  not  wish  to  get  possession  of  the  city? 
Come,  give  us  the  security  of  your  right  hand,  and  I 
will  surrender  this  tower  to  you,"  said  the  officer 
excitedly. 

"Let  us  take  him  at  his  word,  and  gain  for  our 
selves  a  great  name,"  said  a  Roman  of  huge  frame, 
addressing  his  comrades. 

"  Nay,"  said  another,  "  he  is  a  base  deceiver  and  a 
coward.  I  had  rather  trust  a  serpent  than  trust  his 
word."  Then  facing  the  officer  he  exclaimed,  "  Thou 
art  welcome  to  that  tower,  friend,  until  such  time  as 
Caesar  is  prepared  to  pay  thee  a  visit.  Let  me  cau 
tion  thee,  however,  not  to  fare  too  sumptuously  in 
the  meantime." 

While  the  Jewish  officer  listened  to  these  words 
one  of  those  whom  he  had  beguiled  away  from  the 
tower  was  admitted  into  the  presence  of  Judas,  the 
son  of  Merto. 


A  Conspiracy.  247 

"  I  am  told  that  thou  hast  somewhat  of  great  im 
portance  to  say  to  me,"  said  the  latter  with  much 
dignity.  "  Speak ;  I  am  a  good  listener." 

44  My  captain  is  a  traitor,  my  lord,  and  is  about  to 
surrender  the  tower  in  his  charge  to  the  Romans," 
said  the  informer. 

"  What !  Judas,  the  son  of  Judas,  a  traitor  !  Holy 
Abraham !  I  would  never  have  suspected  him  !  But 
what  ground  hast  thou  for  this  charge,  friend  ?  " 

44  If  thou  but  look  out  of  that  window,  my  lord, 
thou  mayest  even  now  see  him  making  terms  with  the 
Romans.  He  has  sent  all  his  men  except  those  who 
have  conspired  with  him,  away  from  the  tower." 

44  The  wicked  wretch !  he  shall  not  lose  his  reward," 
said  Judas,  hastily  writing  a  note.  Then  when  he 
had  sealed  it,  he  handed  it  to  the  guard  saying, 
44  Hasten  to  the  tower  of  Hippicus  and  give  this  to 
the  Chief  Commander.  Thy  timely  service  shall  not 
be  forgotten." 

As  soon  as  the  informer  was  gone  Judas  got  to 
gether  a  detachment  of  his  men,  and  sent  it  imme 
diately  to  take  possession  of  the  tower  and  seize  upon 
the  conspirators.  This  was  hardly  done  ere  he  and 
Simon  arrived  at  the  scene  of  conspiracy,  accom 
panied  by  another  detachment  of  soldiers.  Ascending 
to  the  top  of  the  tower  Simon  saw  that  the  plot  had 
been  discovered  none  to  soon,  for  although  the  Roman 
garrison  had  been  slow  to  believe  that  the  master  of 
the  tower  was  in  earnest,  a  messenger  had  been  sent 
to  notify  Titus  of  his  proposal  and  the  Roman  gen 
eral  was  now  seen  approaching  with  a  strong  body  of 
armed  men.  Then  yielding  to  the  impulse  of  the 
moment  Simon  shook  his  sword  at  Titus,  and  ex 
claimed  with  a  derisive  smile, 

44  Too  late,  O  base  Roman,  too  late  !  Ha,  ha,  thou 
earnest  for  a  victory  ;  but  thou  shalt  behold  an  execu 
tion  instead ! " 

This  brought  the  Romans  to  a  halt,  and  while  they 
stood  facing  the  tower,  Simon  turned  to  the  conspir 
ators  and  said, 


248  J&bekak, 

" Vile  traitors !  wicked  wretches!  sons  of  Belial! 
may  the  curses  of  ten  thousand  generations  rest  upon 
your  heads ;  for  ye  are  this  day  become  a  stink  and 
an  abomination  in  Israel !  The  evil  that  ye  purposed 
to  bring  upon  the  city  shall  fall  on  yourselves.  Your 
bodies  shall  be  cut  in  pieces  and  thrown  to  the  dogs, 
and  your  souls  shall  burn  forever  in  Tophet,  where 
the  worm  of  the  wicked  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not 
quenched. — Seize  them,  O  son  of  Bamadus,  and  let 
each  receive  the  reward  of  his  iniquity,  reserving  the 
chief  traitor  to  the  last !  " 

The  execution  now  took  place  in  sight  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  dead  bodies  after  being  hacked  to  pieces  were 
thrown  down  outside  the  wall  amidst  a  shout  of 
triumph  from  Simon  and  his  men. 

Leaving  the  tower  now  in  charge  of  the  exposer  of 
the  plot  and  a  sufficient  number  of  guards,  Simon 
returned  to  headquarters  accompanied  by  the  son  of 
Merto.  As  they  emerged  from  the  tower  the  tyrant 
heaved  a  sigh  of  relief  and  glancing  at  Judas  said, 

"  By  the  host  of  heaven,  that  was  a  narrow  escape, 
my  Judas.  Hadst  thou  not  been  so  prompt  in  thy 
action,  the  uncircumcised  dogs  would  now  be  in 
possession  of  the  city,  and  the  conspirators  would  be 
beyond  the  reach  of  justice." 

"  Speak  not  of  it,  my  lord,"  said  the  son  of  Merto, 
swelling  with  pride  at  the  compliment  which  the  chief 
commander  paid  him.  "  I  did  naught  but  my  duty. 
I  had  been  a  traitor  both  to  thee  and  to  the  God  of 
our  fathers  had  I  done  otherwise." 

"  It  is  a  mystery  to  me,  O  Judas,  how  thou  succeed- 
est  in  discovering  so  many  plots  !  If  thou  hast  not 
the  gift  of  a  prophet,  thou  surely  hast  the  quickness 
of  a  sorcerer. — But  here  comes  a  messenger.  If  I 
mistake  not  his  manner  he  is  the  bearer  of  good  news. 
—What  now,  friend  ?  " 

"  The  traitor  Josephus  has  been  wounded  nigh  unto 
death,  my  lord,"  was  the  reply. 

The  listeners  cast  a  significant  glance  at  each  other 
and  smiled.  Then  Simon  said,  "  Go  on." 


The  Harvest  of  Death  Increases.  249 

u  As  he  was  going  around  the  city  but  a  short  time 
since,  thy  servant  threw  a  stone  at  him  from  the 
wall,  and  struck  him  on  the  head,  so  that  he  fell  to 
the  ground  as  one  slain  in  battle.  Then  we  made  a 
sally  and  would  have  borne  him  into  the  city  had  we 
not  been  overpowered  by  the  Romans  ere  we  could 
reach  him." 

"  Thou  didst  well,  my  son,  but  thou  hadst  done  far 
better  hadst  thou  slain  him,"  said  Simon,  placing  his 
foot  on  the  broad  stairway  that  led  up  to  the  tower  of 
Hippie  us. 

"  Would  it  not  be  wise,  my  lord,  to  make  the  people 
believe  that  the  son  of  Belial  is  indeed  dead  ? " 
whispered  Judas  to  Simon  as  the  messenger  moved 
away.  "  It  may  prevent  a  great  many  from  deserting 
to  the  Romans." 

Acting  upon  this  suggestion  Simon  recalled  the 
messenger  and  told  him  to  spread  the  report  in  the 
city  that  Josephus  was  dead,  and  to  instruct  his  com 
rades  to  do  the  same.  Then  he  and  Judas  disap 
peared  into  the  tower,  and  the  messenger  hastened  to 
execute  the  command  that  he  had  received,  which  had 
the  desired  effect  upon  the  people  until  the  truth  was 
revealed  by  the  speedy  recovery  of  Josephus  and  his 
reappearance  before  the  wall  of  the  city. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

THE  HARVEST   OF   DEATH  INCREASES. 

"  BY  all  the  Gods  !  "  exclaimed  Marcus  watching 
the  great  outflow  of  deserters  caused  by  the  reap1 
pearance  of  Josephus.  "  if  those  hungry  dogs  were  a 
little  smaller  I  would  have  thought  that  a  thousand 
swarms  of  bees  had  left  their  hives.  See !  see !  my 
Priscus ;  they  must  have  a  leaping  match.  Hercle  ! 
they  must  be  more  found  of  leaping  than  I  am,  to 
jump  down  from  that  wall.  Ha,  ha,  but  what  are 
those  rushing  out  at  the  gates  ?  See  !  they  must  have 
armed  themselves  with  all  the  stones  in  the  city." 


250  Rebekah. 

"  Those  Jews  must  have  lost  more  flesh  than  wit, 
my  Marcus,"  said  Prisons,  "  else  they  would  not  re 
sort  to  so  many  stratagems  in  order  to  effect  their 
escape.  See !  a  large  group  of  them  comes  this  way." 

"  Ha,  ha,  the  famishing  wretches  must  have  learned 
that  thou  hast  just  received  a  fresh  supply  of  provis 
ions,  and  that  thou  hast  the  best  cook  in  the  army." 

44  Let  them  not  be  disappointed  then.  They  have 
already  been  too  long  without  food,"  was  Priscus's 
reply  as  Marcus  moved  away  to  carry  out  his  orders. 

The  deserters  still  left  the  city  as  best  they  could, 
singly  and  in  groups,  and  the  centurion  soon  became 
so  interested  in  their  movements,  that  he  did  not 
hear  Marcus  approaching,  until  he  exclaimed  with  a 
graver  face  than  usual, 

"  Perpol !  thou  mayest  send  me  to  fight  with  ten 
thousand  demons  if  thou  wilt ;  but  in  the  name  of  all 
the  gods  ask  me  not  to  be  the  master  of  a  feast  like 
that  again  !  " 

"  If  thou  be  as  near  the  shades  of  Hades  as  thy  face 
seems  to  show,  thou  wilt  spare  me  the  privilege  of 
another  appointment.  What  ails  thee,  Marcus  ?  "  said 
Priscus  puzzled  at  the  expression  on  the  decurion's 
face.  "  Hast  thou  seen  a  ghost  ?  " 

"  A  ghost?  Hercle  !  thou  couldst  not  frighten  me 
with  a  whole  legion  of  ghosts.  But  the  sight  of  that 
starving  group  has  been  almost  too  much  for  me  !  I 
never  even  in  my  wildest  mood  dreamt  that  famine 
could  convert  men  into  puff  balls,  which  would  burst 
at  the  smell  of  food  !  " 

"What!  thou  hast  not  allowed  them  to  overfill 
themselves  with  food,  hast  thou?  Thou  shouldst 
have  known  that  starving  men  should  take  nourish 
ment  as  patients  take  medicine — in  small  doses." 

"  By  Bacchus,  what  is  the  world  coming  to  that  a 
son  of  Mars  should  also  be  a  disciple  of  Chiron?" 

44 How  many  of  them  have  perished?" 

44  As  many  as  have  made  hogs  of  themselves ;  or  if 
thou  desirest  a  more  definite  answer,  all  but  those 
who  did  not  eat  too  much." 


The  Harvest  of  Death  Increases.  251 

"  Indeed !  then  I  fear  that  of  all  thy  guests  there 
are  not  enough  left  to  form  a  decurion's  guard.  But 
here  comes  another  group.  This  time  be  more  lavish 
of  thy  wit  than  of  thy  hospitality,  and  when  the  poor 
wretches  have  eaten  enough  to  renew  their  acquaint 
ance  with  the  taste  of  food,  send  them  to  the  camp." 

"By  Jupiter,"  said  Marcus  as  he  moved  away, 
"  that  group  is  far  more  hideous  than  the  first.  See 
how  puffed  up  the  hungry  dogs  are  !  Dropsy  must  be 
more  than  a  second  cousin  to  famine,  else  I  am  as 
ignorant  of  Chiron's  teachings  as  he  was  of  me." 

"  Didst  thou  know  as  little  about  the  art  of  war, 
O  Marcus,  as  thou  seemest  to  know  about  Chiron  and 
his  art,"  mentally  remarked  Priscus  as  he  watched 
the  retreating  steps  of  the  decurion.  "  thou  wouldst 
be  of  little  value  to  me.  But  thou  art  a  good  soldier 
and  a  faithful  friend." 

These  reflections  were  followed  by  others  of  a  mel 
ancholy  nature,  which  did  not  cease  even  when  the 
centurion  retired  for  the  night.  As  we  might  expect, 
Ilebekah  occupied  a  large  share  of  his  thoughts,  both 
before  and  after  he  fell  asleep.  Indeed  it  was  seldom 
that  she  was  absent  from  his  mind.  On  awaking  next 
morning  he  was  informed  that  many  deserters  had 
been  received  and  dismissed  during  the  night,  and 
that  one  of  them  had  brought  him  a  letter.  Know 
ing  that  it  must  be  from  Rebekah  his  heart  leaped 
with  joy,  and  hastening  to  a  secluded  spot  with  his 
prize,  he  soon  became  oblivious  to  everything  but  its 
contents.  Passing  over  the  opening  paragraphs  we 
will  give  the  reader  the  benefit  of  that  part  of  the  letter 
which  touched  on  the  condition  of  things  in  the  city : 

"Though  famine  has  not  yet  entered  our  home, 
the  miseries  with  which  we  are  surrounded,  O  Pris 
cus,  are  indescribable.  The  little  that  my  father  pri 
vately  conveys  to  our  famishing  neighbors  is  but  a 
drop  in  the  ocean  compared  with  the  greatness  of 
their  want.  How  can  it  be  otherwise  when  a  men- 
dimus  of  wheat  is  sold  for  a  talent  ?  While  the  poor 


252  tiebekah. 

were  able  to  go  into  the  vallej^s  to  gather  herbs,  the 
victims  of  famine  were  comparatively  few ;  but  since 
then,  for  reasons  well  known  to  you,  a  terrible  change 
has  come  over  the  city.  My  father  heard  one  of  the 
rulers  say  to-day  that  over  six  hundred  thousand 
bodies  have  been  thrown  out  at  the  gates !  Of  the 
number  of  dead  bodies  buried  in  the  city  we  are 
ignorant ;  but  it  must  be  very  great,  for  several  large 
houses  have  been  filled  with  the  dead,  and  then 
closed.  Ah!  my  beloved,  what  a  terrible  monster 
famine  is  !  What  untold  agonies  its  victims  suffer  ! 
How  vile  and  degrading  its  touch !  Often  while 
standing  on  the  house-top  during  the  past  few  days 
have  I  seen  men  and  women  search  the  dunghills  and 
eat  that  which  is  abominable  even  to  see  !  When  I 
beheld  them  my  heart  was  overwhelmed  with  sorrow, 
and  my  eyes  were  blind  with  pitiful  tears.  Yet  I 
remembered  the  words  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah — 
4  They  that  feed  delicately  are  desolate  in  the  streets ; 
they  that  were  brought  up  in  scarlet  embrace  dung 
hills.  For  the  punishment  of  the  iniquity  of  the 
daughter  of  my  people  is  greater  than  the  punish 
ment  of  the  sin  of  Sodom,  that  was  overthrown  as  in 
a  moment,  and  no  hands  stayed  on  her.' 

"  Were  the  prophet  living  in  Jerusalem  to-day,  O 
Priscus,  he  could  give  no  truer  or  better  description 
of  what  my  eyes  have  seen.  O  that  the  murderers  of 
the  people  should  take  these  miseries  to  heart !  O 
that  they  might  consider  their  end,  and  repent!  But 
their  hearts  are  of  stone,  and  their  faces  of  brass. 
Their  souls  revel  in  blasphemies,  and  their  hearts  de 
light  in  sacrilege !  That  impious  tyrant,  John  of 
Gischala,  has  already  begun  to  plunder  the  Holy 
House  !  Not  only  has  he  melted  down  those  sacred 
utensils  given  by  Augustus  Csesar  and  others,  but 
also  the  caldrons,  dishes,  and  such  other  precious  and 
sacred  things  in  daily  use  in  the  Temple.  Nor  did 
he  abstain  from  the  holy  wine  and  oil  which  the  ves 
sels  contained,  but  distributed  them  freely  among  his 
followers.  Thus,,  what  was  donated  and  consecrated 


The  Harvest  of  Death  Increases.  .253 

to  the  use  of  the  Holy  Place,  has  been  seized  by  him 
who  neither  fears  God  nor  regards  man,  on  the  pre 
tense  that  those  who  fight  God's  battles  should  claim 
sacred  things  for  their  own  use  !  O  depth  of  infamy  ! 
O  infinite  presumption !  What  crimes  will  not  men 
commit  in  God's  holy  name !  While  we  have  such 
monsters  of  iniquity  in  the  city  and  the  Temple,  how 
can  we  expect  mercy?  Jerusalem  is  drunk  with  the 
blood  of  the  righteous ;  she  has  become  her  own 
enemy,  devouring  her  own  strength  and  executing 
upon  herself  the  judgment  of  heaven.  Those  whom 
she  hates  as  her  greatest  enemies  must  hasten  to  de 
liver  her  from  herself.  O  why  does  Titus  tarry  so 
long?  O  let  him  hasten  to  the  rescue  of  the  inno 
cent  !  Let  him  come  before  we -are  no  more !  O  tell 
him,  my  beloved,  that  we  are  waiting  for  him  !  " 

Pausing  for  a  moment,  the  centurion  looked  toward 
the  city  with  a  pained  expression  on  his  face,  and 
muttered  to  himself, 

"  Ah  !  how  near ;  yet  how  far !  I  can  see  where 
she  dwells,  but  I — I  might  never  see  her  !  Were  I 
Caesar,  methinks  I  would  even  now  lead  the  whole 
army  against  the  city  and  lay  that  strong  wall  even 
with  the  ground.  But  I  am  not  Caesar,  nor  can  I 
stimulate  him  into  action  by  my  counsel !  While  he 
has  such  a  strong  ally  in  the  city,  he  sees  no  neces 
sity  for  haste.  Famine  kills  his  ten  thousands  where 
Caesar  could  slay  only  his  thousands.  Therefore  I 
must  wait !  But  how  can  I  wait  when  my  betrothed 
is  in  that  horrible  charnel-house  ?  Let  me  see — she 
says,  '  Though  famine  has  not  yet  entered  our  home, 
the  miseries  with  which  we  are  surrounded,  O  Pris- 
cus,  are  indescribable.'  Ah,  then  !  it  must  soon  reach 
her  also  !  But  God  forbid  that  it  should  do  so  !  " 

The  remainder  of  the  letter  related  to  the  conduct 
of  Judas  and  his  spies,  and,  as  we  may  expect,  its 
perusal  made  Priscus  wish  once  more  that  Providence 
might  afford  him  an  opportunity  to  meet  his  enemy 
in  battle.  Before  he  left  his  seclusion  he  gave  the 
letter  a  second  reading ;  then  returning  to  bis  com- 


254  Eebekah. 

mand,  he  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  pretty  much  as 
usual.  Late  in  the  afternoon,  as  he  paced  the  wall  in 
front  of  the  fortified  place  in  which  the  garrison  was 
quartered,  he  saw  a  horseman  approaching  from  the 
direction  of  the  camp,  and  addressing  one  of  the 
guards  that  were  posted  at  different  points  on  the 
wall,  he  jokingly  remarked, 

"  Thou  hast  long  been  aching  for  a  fight,  my  Pub- 
lius ;  if  I  mistake  not,  yonder  horseman  is  a  mes 
senger,  and  has  good  news  for  thee." 

"  Perpol !  I  think  it  not  fair  that  famine  should 
slay  all  the  children  of  Abraham,  while  Rome  has  so 
many  trained  warriors  who  can  do  the  work  far  more 
scientifically.  I  used  to  think  that  keeping  guard 
over  the  prisoners  of  state  on  the  Palatine  was  a  dull 
undertaking;  but  pacing  this  wall  and  viewing  and 
smelling  that  rotten  host  which  seems  to  mock  us  in 
yonder  valley,  is  infinitely  worse." 

Priscus  laughed  at  the  guard's  reply,  and  with  his 
eyes  fixed  on  the  horseman,  said, 

"  The  banks  that  were  commenced  twenty-one 
days  ago  must  now  be  finished,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  the  materials  for  them  had  to  be  brought 
over  ninety  furlongs  of  rough  roads ;  and  Caesar 
doubtless  is  now  ready  to  attack  the  tower  of  An- 
tonia." 

"  I  hope  thy  conjecture  concerning  the  banks,  my 
Priscus,  is  truer  than  thy  supposition  in  regard  to  the 
object  of  the  horseman's  visit.  Ha,  ha !  while  I  have 
been  wishing  for  an  opportunity  to  test  the  temper  of 
my  sword,  here  comes  Caius  the  surgeon,  with  his 
knife  and  saw,  in  quest  of  patients  !  " 

"  May  not  the  bearer  of  the  knife  and  saw  be  also 
the  bearer  of  news  ?  "  interrogated  Priscus.  Then  de 
scending  over  a  broad  stairway  to  the  ground  floor  of 
the  tower-like  structure  already  referred  to  as  the 
garrison's  quarters,  he  led  the  surgeon  to  a  room  on 
the  second  floor,  and  commanded  one  of  the  guards 
to  take  charge  of  his  horse. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  thee,  my  Caius,  for  it  seems  al- 


The  Harvest  of  Death  Increases.  255 

most  an  age  since  I  had  the  privilege  of  thy  com- 
pany,'*  said  the  centurion,  as  they  ascended  the  stair 
way.  "  Why  hast  thou  deferred  thy  visit  so  long? 
Hast  thou  been  very  busy  of  late  ?  " 

"  Is  there  ever  a  time  when  I  am  not  busy,  my 
Priscus  ?  Hercle  !  there  is  not  a  busier  man  in  the 
whole  legion." 

"  Then  how  hast  thou  found  time  for  this  long-ex 
pected  visit?  " 

"  Because  of  late  I  have  had  a  great  many  volun 
tary  assistants.  Perpol !  if  the  craze  continue  to 
spread,  I  fear  the  whole  army  will  turn  surgeons." 

"Give  me  a  key  to  thy  meaning,"  said  Priscus, 
with  a  puzzled  look,  as  he  showed  Gains  to  a  seat. 

"  Certainly ;  I  will  give  thee  a  score  of  them  if 
thou  desirest.  Thou  knowest  that  since  yesterday  a 
great  multitude  of  deserters  have  entered  the  camp. 
Many  of  these,  fearing  lest  the  seditious  should  search 
them,  swallowed  pieces  of  gold — of  which  there  is  an 
enormous  quantity  in  the  city,  it  seems — and  being 
thus  provided,  they  seized  the  first  opportunity  to  de 
sert.  Though  they  succeeded  in  fleeing  from  the 
grasp  of  famine,  however,  the  gods  reserved  for  them 
a  far  more  horrible  fate,  for  the  Arabians  and  the 
Syrians,  having  learned  that  the  deserters  came  to 
them  full  of  gold,  were  crazed  with  visions  of  wealth, 
and  lying  in  wait,  together  with  a  few  of  the  legion 
aries,  near  the  approaches  to  the  camp,  they  murdered 
and  dissected  during  the  night  no  less  than  two 
thousand  victims !  " 

"  The  heartless  villains  !  But  surely  so  horrible  a 
crime  has  escaped  neither  the  attention  nor  the  pun 
ishment  of  Ca3sar  ?  " 

"  He  was  informed  of  it  early  this  morning,  and 
had  the  number  of  the  offenders  not  been  so  great 
he  would  have  put  them  all  to  the  edge  of  the  sword. 
As  an  alternative,  however,  he  reproached  the  com 
manders  of  the  criminals,  and  caused  it  to  be 
published  throughout  the  whole  army  that  a  repeti 
tion  of  the  crime  would  certainly  be  punished  with 


256  Rebekah. 

immediate  death.  But  so  great  is  the  greed  of  the 
barbarians  for  gold,  that  they  still  privately  stain 
their  hand  with  Jewish  blood  and  search  their  vic 
tims  for  polluted  money." 

Priscus  was  greatly  shocked  by  this  intelligence, 
and  was  unsparing  in  his  condemnation  of  such 
unprecedented  cruelty.  In  this  he  had  the  hearty 
sympathy  of  the  surgeon,  who  to  heighten  the  color 
of  the  crime,  spoke  of  the  terrible  sufferings  most  of 
the  deserters  had  endured  before  leaving  the  city, 
and  the  almost  superhuman  efforts  some  of  them 
had  made  to  get  away. 

As  to  the  state  of  things  near  the  tower  of  Antonia, 
Caius  said  that  the  banks  had  been  completed  that 
morning  in  spite  of  the  opposition  of  the  seditious; 
that  the  battering-rams  were  already  at  work  upon 
the  walls  of  the  tower ;  and  that  Titus  expected  to 
take  possession  of  the  Temple  soon  through  Antonia. 
When  the  interview  ended  Caius  returned  to  the 
camp. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

A  DARING  ADVENTURE. 

"So  we  are  to  be  relieved  at  once,  my  Priscus," 
said  Marcus  a  few  days  after  the  surgeon's  visit. 

"  Ay ;  and  I  think  we  shall  enjoy  a  change,  though 
it  involve  not  a  little  danger,"  said  Priscus,  looking 
towards  the  tower  of  Antonia. 

"  Hast  thou  learned  the  particulars  concerning  the 
attack  lately  made  on  the  tower  ?  " 

"  The  courier  was  in  great  haste  ;  but  I  succeeded 
in  detaining  him  long  enough  to  gain  a  few  facts. 
It  seems  that  those  who  opened  the  attack,  seeing 
that  the  battering-rams  made  no  impression  on  the 
strong  walls  of  the  tower,  and  being  sorely  wounded 
by  the  missiles  which  the  Jews  hurled  at  them,  soon 
began  to  give  way  to  discouragement.  Perceiving 
this  Caesar,  commanded  a  few  of  them  to  make  an 


A  Daring  Adventure.  257 

attempt  at  removing  some  of  the  foundation  stones, 
which  they  heroically  did,  holding  their  shields  over 
their  bodies.  After  removing  four  of  the  largest 
stones,  they  were  forced  by  the  darkness  to  postpone  ' 
their  work  till  next  morning.  While  they  were  rest 
ing,  however,  nature  came  to  their  assistance  in  a 
strange  way.  It  caused  the  wall  which  they  had 
striven  so  hard  to  breach  to  fall  with  a  tremendous 
noise." 

"  Ha,  ha,  good !  I  should  like  to  have  been  there 
to  witness  the  consternation  of  the  cut-throats  that 
defended  it." 

"Their  consternation  was  not  greater  than  the 
joy  of  our  comrades  ;  but  their  joy  was  somewhat 
checked  at  the  discovery  of  another  wall  inside  the 
broken  one.  Indeed  so  discouraged  and  fearful  were 
they  the  next  morning  that  Caesar's  speech  inspired 
but  one  soldier,  a  Syrian  by  birth,  to  mount  the 
wall." 

"  Perpol !  Had  I  been  there,  that  brave  fellow 
would  have  had  one  companion  at  least,"  exclaimed 
Marcus. 

"  Perhaps  so,"  said  Priscus  doubtfully. 

"  But  this  man,  though  very  insignificant  and 
delicate  in  appearance,  possessed  extraordinary  cour 
age,  and  his  brave  heart  immediately  responded  to 
Csesar's  call.  His  noble  example  stirred  eleven  others 
to  follow  him  to  the  wall ;  but  they  utterly  failed  to 
take  it,  for  three  of  them  were  immediately  killed, 
and  the  rest  were  borne  away  severely  wounded  to 
the  camp.  The  Syrian,  however,  nothing  daunted  by 
the  fate  of  his  comrades,  mounted  the  wall  alone,  and 
having  put  his  opponents  to  flight,  was  in  the  act  of 
pursuing  them  when  he  stumbled  and  fell,  and  before 
he  could  rise  a  shower  of  darts  slew  him." 

"  Poor  fellow  !  he  deserved  a  better  fate  ;  but  the 
loftiest  souls  must  sometimes  suffer  defeat." 

The  band  that  was  to  relieve  the  garrison  now  ap 
peared  on  the  scene,  and  presently  Priscus  and  his 
men  were  stationed  near  the  tower  of  Antonia  to 


258  Rebekah. 

guard  the  banks.  The  bravery  of  those  who  had 
lately  distinguished  themselves  had  made  a  deep  im 
pression  on  Priscus's  mind,  and  he  soon  came  to  the 
.  decision  to  attempt  a  bold  experiment.  Being  the 
captain  of  the  guard  at  the  time,  and  having  Titus's 
approval,  he  desired  to  put  his  scheme  into  execution 
at  once.  Accordingly  he  summoned  Marcus  and  ten 
others  before  him  and  said, 

" It  is  unnecessary  for  me,  O  brave  Romans,  to  in 
form  you  of  the  unsuccessful  assault  which  our 
valiant  comrades  made  but  a  few  days  ago  upon  the 
enemy,  and  of  the  terror  which  seized  the  army. 
Nor  is  it  necessary  for  me  to  remind  you  o('  the  im 
minent  danger  which  must  attend  any  attempt  at 
gaining  possession  of  that  strong  tower.  My  object 
in  sending  for  you  is  that  T  might  call  your  attention 
to  the  absolute  necessity  of  bringing  this  state  of  in 
activity  to  an  end  by  some  bold  action  on  our  part, 
since  others  are  indisposed  to  act.  I  have  thought 
much  about  this  matter  since  yesterday,  and  have 
fixed  upon  a  scheme  which  I  am  determined  with 
your  assistance  to  put  into  execution.  It  is  now  near 
the  close  of  the  third  watch,  and  the  guards  being 
weary  with  much  watching  must  be  fast  asleep.  I 
propose  therefore  that  we  quietly  ascend  over  thc^o 
ruins  and  take  possession  of  the  wall.  That  we  may 
do  this  successfully  we  must  add  to  our  number  the 
standard  bearer  of  our  legion,  a  trumpeter,  and  one 
or  two  others  whom  we  may  find  willing  to  share  our 
risk,  which  I  assure  you  cannot  be  very  great  if 
Csesar  fail  not  to  render  us  timely  assistance.  He  is 
already  acquainted  with  my  scheme,  and  it  has  re 
ceived  his  approval.  Therefore,  O  noble  comrades, 
let  us  strike  for  victory !  Let  us  remember  our 
origin  and  our  duty  !  " 

Priscus  spoke  scarcely  above  a  whisper,  yet  every 
word  was  distinctly  heard  by  his  auditors,  and  all  of 
them  heartily  approved  of  his  scheme.  While  Mar 
cus  went  in  quest  of  the  trumpeter  and  others  neces- 


A  Daring  Adventure.  259 

sary  to  make  tne  band  complete,  the  centurion  ex 
changed  a  few  words  with  his  companions. 

"How  dost  thou  feel  now,  my  Publius,  that  thou 
hast  the  long-desired  opportunity  to  prove  thy 
metal  ?  "  said  he. 

"  Perpol !  I  feel  as  Hercules  did  when  he  slew 
the  lion  which  haunted  Mount  Cithseron,  or  when  he 
brought  the  bull  on  his  shoulders  to  Eurystheus," 
was  the  reply. 

"  I  hope  thy  achievements  will  not  belie  thy  pro 
fession,"  said  Priseus.  Then  speaking  to  Domilius 
Sabinus,  whom  we  have  previously  mentioned  as  a 
valiant  soldier,  he  said,  "Thy  tongue,  my  Sabinus,  is 
not  so  loosely  hung  as  that  of  Publius;  but  thou 
knowest  how  to  use  a  sword  or  throw  a  dart  to  the 
best  advantage.  I  shall  never  forget  the  day  when  I 
saw  thee  fight  by  Caesar's  side  in  the  Lower  City." 

"  Thy  high  estimate  of  me  is  but  poorly  deserved, 
O  centurion.  I  have  never  done  aught  but  my  duty; 
and  that  will  I  do  to-night,  God  willing." 

Marcus  now  returned  with  two  horsemen,  the 
standard-bearer  and  the  trumpeter,  and  approaching 
the  centurion  he  whispered  with  a  broad  smile  on 
his  face, 

"  Hercle !  I  would  have  led  the  assault  upon  those 
murderous  dogs  myself,  seeing  that  I  was  followed 
by  the  most  important  part  of  the  fifth  legion,  had  I 
not  taken  pity  on  thy  ambition.  Longinus  is  anx 
ious  to  repeat  that  performance  which  he  so  ex 
cellently  played  before  the  second  wall ;  but  I  fear 
that  he  will  not  have  the  pleasure  of  amusing  the 
whole  army  this  time.  Pedanius  is  like  a  crouching 
lion  ready  to  spring  on  his  prey  ;  Marcus  aspires  to 
plant  the  eagle  on  yonder  Temple  ;  and  Rufus  longs 
to  summon  the  whole  universe  to  witness  the  fray. 
As  to  myself " 

"  Thou  wilt  now  hold  thy  peace,"  said  Prisons,  in 
terrupting  him.  "  Thine  intentions  will  be  best  ex 
pressed  in  acts.  The  night  is  already  far  spent,  and 
we  have  accomplished  nothing." 


260  Rebekah. 

He  then  unfolded  his  scheme  to  the  new-comers, 
and  a  moment  later  led  the  whole  band  in  perfect 
silence  towards  the  breach.  Finding  no  cause  of 
alarm1,  they  climbed  over  a  large  heap  of  rubbish  into 
the  tower  of  Antonia,  and  dispatched  all  the  guards 
stationed  in  that  part  of  the  tower  while  they  were 
asleep.  Having  thus  gained  possession  of  the  wali 
inside  the  ruins,  Prisons  caused  the  trumpet  to  be 
sounded,  and  instantly  the  whole  Roman  army  flew 
to  arms,  while  the  rest  of  the  Jewish  guards,  sud« 
denly  awaking,  ran  in  terror  into  the  outer  court  of 
the  Temple,  and  being  confused  by  the  thought  that 
the  enemy  greatly  outnumbered  them  they  fell  into 
the  mine  that  John  had  dug  in  order  to  destroy  the 
Roman  banks.  In  the  midst  of  all  this  confusion 
Titus  mounted  tin  wall  with  his  commanders  and 
their  chosen  men,  and  John  and  Simon  came  with 
their  forces  to  the  assistance  of  their  guards.  A  se 
vere  conflict  at  once  commenced  in  the  passages  be 
tween  the  tower  and  the  Temple,  which  lasted  ten 
hours.  The  greatest  disorder  prevailed  ;  each  side,  on 
account  of  its  eagerness  to  win,  and  the  pressure  of 
those  who  pushed  forward  from  the  rear,  becoming 
intermixed  with  the  other.  So  penned  in  were  they 
also  on  all  sides  that  there  was  room  neither  for  re 
treat  nor  pursuit,  and  so  great  was  the  din  of  battle 
that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  distinguish  one 
sound  from  another.  It  was  a  hand  to  hand  fight, 
which  in  the  case  of  those  that  were  in  the  heat  of 
battle  was  attended  with  great  slaughter,  and  the 
floor  became  so  thickly  covered  with  the  dead  that 
the  combatants  were  in  constant  danger  of  stumbling 
or  of  slipping  on  the  armor  of  the  slain. 

When  the  onset  commenced,  Priscus  and  his  select 
band  were  forced  towards  the  enemy  as  if  by  a  flood, 
and  in  the  confusion  that  ensued  they  soon  became 
separated  from  one  another,  each  finding  himself  sur 
rounded  by  implacable  foes.  Realizing  his  perilous 
situation,  the  centurion  repelled  and  returned  the  at 
tacks  of  his  opponents  with  the  greatest  agility  and 


A  Daring  Adventure.  261 

skill,  now  retreating  a  few  steps,  and   now   being 

Eushed  forward  by  the  tide  of  humanity  behind  him ; 
ere  giving  a  home  thrust,  there  parrying  a  well- 
directed  blow.  When,  at  last,  the  Romans  were 
forced  by  the  furious  rush  of  the  Jews  to  retreat, 
Priscus  found  himself  face  to  face  with  Judas  the  son 
of  Merto.  The  long-looked-for  opportunity  had  been 
given  him  at  last  then  ;  but  he  was  in  a  poor  condi 
tion  to  avail  himself  of  it.  Owing  to  fatigue  and 
the  loss  of  blood  from  several  slight  wounds,  he  was 
almost  too  exhausted  to  stand,  and  Judas  seemed  to 
realize  this  fact  as  they  glared  at  each  other,  for  a 
fiendish  smile  spread  over  his  face.  Mustering  up  all 
his  remaining  strength  and  stimulated  by  the  desire 
to  rid  Rebekah  of  her  infatuated  and  tyrannical  cousin, 
the  centurion  closed  with  his  antagonist,  who  being 
anxious  to  put  an  end  to  one  whom  he  considered  both 
a  deadly  foe  and  a  powerful  rival,  was  ready  to  receive 
him.  As  the  combat  proceeded  Priscus  felt  that  he 
was  at  an  increasing  disadvantage.  Besides  being 
greatly  exhausted,  the  pressure  of  the  Jews  was  so 
great  that  he  was  being  forced  backward  into  the 
tower  with  the  re^t  of  the  Romans  in  spite  of  him 
self.  He  defended  himself  bravely,  however,  and 
aimed  several  well-directed  thrusts  at  his  antagonist, 
but  with  no  effect,  since  he  also  was  on  his  guard. 
He  was  reminded  by  a  deep  scar  on  Judas's  face  of 
their  former  struggle,  and  while  glancing  at  it  over 
the  rim  of  his  shield,  he  could  read  his  opponent's 
varying  emotions  in  its  constantly  changing  hue,  and 
was  seized  with  an  overmastering  desire  to  repeat 
with  greater  effect  his  former  successful  thrust.  At 
length  Providence  seemed  to  favor  him  with  a  momen 
tary  advantage ;  but  as  he  was  in  the  act  of  thrust 
ing,  his  heel  struck  against  a  corpse,  causing  him  to 
lose  his  balance.  The  crowded  position  in  which  he 
was,  however,  prevented  him  from  falling;  yet  he 
was  thrown  backward  sufficiently  to  make  it  impos 
sible  for  him  for  an  instant  to  defend  himself.  As 
he  tried  to  regain  his  footing  he  saw  Judas  with  de- 


262  EebeJcah. 

moniacal  triumph  lifting  his  sword  to  strike  a  fatal 
blow ;  but  the  timely  aid  of  Marcus  who,  having  seen 
the  dangerous  condition  of  the  centurion,  had  fought 
his  way  to  his  side,  saved  him  by  receiving  the  blow 
on  his  shield.     Grinding  his  teeth  with  rage,  Judas 
now  became  engaged  with  his  new  antagonist ;  but 
the  fight  was  soon  brought  to  a  close  by  the  precipi 
tate  retreat  of  the  Jews.     This  was  caused  by  the 
heroism  of  one  Julian,  a  centurion,  who,  standing  at 
Titus's  side  near  the  tower  and  seeing  that  his  com 
rades  were  being  worsted,    rushed   down    upon  the 
enemy  and  forced  them  into  the  inner  court  of  the 
Temple.     His  brave  deed,  however,  while  it  won  the 
admiration  and  applause  of  his  comrades  was  quickly 
followed  by  an  ill  fate,  for  as  he  pursued  the  Jews, 
his  shoes,  whose  soles  were  covered  with  nails,  slipped 
on  the  smooth  pavement  of  the   outer  court,  and  he 
fell  on  his  back.     The  ringing  sound  of  his  armor  at 
once  attracted  the  attention  of  the  pursued,  and  as  he, 
strove  to  rise  a  number  of  them  crowded  around  him, 
striking  at  him  with  spears   and  swords.     He  made 
several  attempts  to  rise  ;  but  finding  this  impossible 
he  determined  to  make  the  best  of  his  awkward  posi 
tion.     As  his  head  and  body  were  protected  with  ar 
mor,  his  assailants  could  not  overcome  him  immedi 
ately,  and  he  succeeded  in   wounding  most  of  them 
before  they  slew  him.      While  Julian  was  thus  strug 
gling  with  his  enemies,  the  Romans  looked  on  in  dis 
may.     Those  who  could    go    to  his  rescue  were  too 
terrified  to  do  so  ;  and  those  who  were  anxious  to  aid 
him  could  not  possibly  get  to  him.      Catching  up  his 
dead  body,  the  Jews  no\v  renewed  their  attack  upon 
the  Romans,  and  putting  them  to   flight  they  closed 
the  doors  of  the  tower  upon  them. 

When  the  fight  was  over  Titus  commended  Priscus 
for  the  success  of  his  scheme  and  for  his  brave  con 
duct  during  the  battle.  He  also  desired  him  to  give 
his  compliments  to  those  who  had  assisted  him  in  the 
execution  of  his  plan.  Most  of  them,  however,  TV  ere 
beyond  the  reach  of  earthly  compliments,  Sabinus 


The  Daily  Sacrifice  Ceases.  263 

and  Longinus  being  among  them.  The  survivors 
were  greatly  elated  over  the  commendation  of  their 
general  ;  especially  was  this  true  of  Publius,  for  he 
assumed  an  air  of  great  importance  as  he  recounted 
his  exploits  to  Priscus  and  Marcus  later  in  the  day. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

THE  DAILY   SACEIFICB   CEASES. 

THE  Romans  now  devoted  themselves  to  the  en 
largement  of  the  breach  that  had  been  made  in  the 
wall  of  Antonia,  and  these  preparations  were  hardly 
completed  before  it  was  rumored  through  the  city 
that  another  attack  was  to  be  made  on  the  Temple 
early  next  morning.  Accordingly  all  except  the 
armed  men  ascended  to  the  house-tops  much  earlier 
than  usual  to  witness  the  expected  assault. 

The  advancing  daylight  revealed  a  sight  far  dif 
ferent  from  that  seen  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day 
of  the  feast  of  unleavened  bread.  Then  the  city, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  buildings  destroyed  by 
the  seditious,  was  intact,  and  every  house-top  was 
covered  with  adoring  spectators.  Now  only  the 
Upper  City  remained  untouched  by  the  hand  of 
desolation,  and  the  millions  that  were  then  in  the  city 
had  been  reduced  by  famine  and  the  sword  into 
thousands  ;  and  even  these,  as  they  now  occasionally 
glanced  from  the  seat  of  danger  towards  the  piles  of 
ruins  which  everywhere  met  their  eyes,  presented 
anything  but  a  pleasing  aspect.  Want  and  despair 
marked  every  feature,  and  had  almost  destroyed  the 
distinction  between  youth  and  old  age.  Their  suf 
ferings,  however,  had  not  lessened  their  zeal  for  the 
religion  of  their  fathers,  for  as  the  hour  for  morning 
worship  approached,  their  hearts  yearned  for  the 
appearance  of  the  smoke  of  the  sacrifice  above  the 
court  of  the  priests. 

Prominent  among  the  spectators  were  those  on  the 
top  of  Merto's  house.  All  the  members  of  the  two 


264  Relekah. 

households,  except  Judas  and  his  father,  were  there, 
and  stood  talking  in  pairs. 

"Do  you,  then,  think  that  the  Lord  has  deserted 
his  people,  and  that  he  will  permit  his  holy  house  to 
be  denied  and  destroyed  by  the  heathen  ?  "  said  Adah, 
addressing  Merto's  wife. 

"  It  may  be  so,"  said  Martha  with  a  sigh  ;  "  but  we 
must  not  give  up  all  hope  yet.  God's  ways  are 
mysterious.  He  may  still  repent  of  the  evil  that  he 
has  thoughtvto  do  to  his  people.  Yet  while  we  make 
a  show  of  courage  and  hope  we  must  prepare  for  the 
worst." 

"  Does  your  son  think  our  condition  hopeless  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  him  to-day  ;  but  yesterday  he 
laughed  at  the  fruitless  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  get 
possession  of  the  Temple,  and  said  that  Israel  would 
yet  be  victorious.  Whether  he  spoke  according  to 
his  convictions,  I  can  not  tell.  It  is  possible  that  a 
desire  to  allay  my  fears  led  him  to  conceal  his  own. 
Ah  !  if  all  in  Jerusalem  were  as  brave  and  good  as  he, 
Adah,  the  city  would  soon  be  rid  of  its  enemies  ! 
But  they  are  not;  even  those  of  our  own  flesh  and 
blood  are  more  in  sympathy  with  the  dogs  of  Rome 
than  with  Israel,  and  this  puts  me  in  mind,  my  Adah, 
that  we  must  be  more  watchful  than  ever  over  the 
movements  of  my  brother  and  Rebekah,  for  Judas  has 
given  Micah  strict  charge  that  henceforth  they  shall 
receive  but  half  their  usual  supply  of  grain  until  such 
time  as  they  may  think  it  fit  to  comply  with  his 
request.  I  am  sorry  that  matters  have  come  to  such 
a  pass ;  yet  I  can  not  blame  Judas  for  the  course  he 
has  taken.  He  has  been  very  kind  to  them,  and  has 
honored  them  not  a  little  in  offering  to  make  Rebekah 
his  wife.  I  hope  they  will  not  drive  my  son  to  the 
adoption  of  more  stringent  measures  by  their  stub 
bornness  and  imprudence.  It  is  better  that  they 
should  suffer  a  little  than  that  the  happiness  of  so 
noble  a  man  should  be  forever  destroyed  by  their 
foolish  whims." 

She   paused   a   moment   as   if  expecting  Adah  to 


The  Daily  Sacrifice  Ceases.  265 

sanction  what  she  had  said  with  her  approval ;  but  the 
cunning  domestic,  fearing  that  her  voice  would  betray 
undue  interest  in  Judas,  remained  silent,  with  her 
eyes  fixed  on  the  rug  upon  which  they  stood.  Con 
tinuing,  the  matron  said, 

"  Ah !  it  is  natural  that  thou  shouldst  be  in  sym 
pathy  with  thy  mistress ;  yet  I  know  that  being  a 
true  daughter  of  Israel  thou  wouldst  far  rather  see 
her  married  to  Judas  than  to  that  cursed  Roman. 
The  unbelieving  dog !  were  he  out  of  the  way  Re- 
In'kah  would  no  longer  have  the  least  shadow  of 
excuse  for  her  stubbornness.  Would  that  Judas's 
sword  had  cleaved  his  head  the  other  day,  instead  of 
falling  on  that  impious  interferer's  shield  !  " 

"  The  Roman  may  not  be  so  fortunate  another  time," 
said  Adah,  feeling  constrained  to  say  something. 

"  If  the  uncircumcised  dogs  make  the  expected 
attack  011  the  Temple  to-day,  Judas  is  determined  to 
single  out  the  greatest  of  his  enemies,  and  put  an  end 
to  him.  But  it  appears  now  as  though  they  were 
never  going  to  make  another  assault." 

"  May  they  not  be  waiting  for  the  morning  sacri 
fice,  that  they  may  take  our  men  at  a  disadvantage  ?  " 

"  God  forbid,  Adah !  But  if  they  harbor  such  a 
treacherous  intention,  they  will  soon  have  an  oppor 
tunity  to  put  it  into  action,  for  the  sun  will  soon 
appear  over  Olivet." 

While  this  conversation  was  being  carried  o'n 
between  Merto's  wife  and  Adah,  Rebekah  and  her 
father  conversed  in  a  subdued  tone  a  little  apart  from 
the  rest. 

"  Dost  thou  think  they  will  destrov  the  Temple, 
father  ?  "  said  Rebekah  sadly. 

"  Ay,  my  daughter,"  was  the  reply,  "  else  how  shall 
our  Lord's  words  be  fulfilled?  There  shall  not  be 
left  here  one  stone  upon  another,  that  shall  not  be 
thrown  clown '  ;  so  runs  the  prophecy.  James  the  Just 
— blessed  be  his  memory  forever — also  said,  a  little 
before  his  martyrdom,  thou  wilt  remember,  that  the 
Temple  should  not  escape." 


266  Hebe/cah. 

"  Ah !  then  this  might  be  the  last  view  we  shall 
ever  have  of  that  most  beautiful  and  holy  place  ! 
That  sun  whose  glory  now  courts  its  matchless  splen 
dor  may  see  it  a  heap  of  shapeless  ruins  ere  its  daily 
course  is  done  !  O,  father,,  my  heart  bleeds  to  think 
of  it !  Yet  it  is  best  that  it  should  be  so,  since  it  is 
the  will  of  Him  who  is  greater. than  the  Temple." 

"  My  heart  also  rebels  against  the  destruction  of 
that  holy  place,  Rebekah  ;  yet  since  the  glory  of  the  • 
Lord  no  longer  dwells  in  it,  and  since  it  affords  a 
refuge  for  robbers  and  murderers,  its  fall  should  con 
cern  us  less  than  the  boundless  folly  and  wicked 
ness  that  have  brought  these  great  calamities  upon 
us.  Besides,  it  were  better  that  the  whole  city  be  a 
heap  of  ruins  than  that  all  these  multitudes  should 
perish  of  famine." 

"  Famine  !  "  said  Rebekah  with  a  shudder,  taking 
up  her  father's  last  words.  "  Famine  !  .What  a  dread 
monster !  God  be  praised  that  it  has  not  yet  visited 
our  home  !  But  if  Judas  put  his  threats  into  execu 
tion  we  shall  soon  know  by  experience  what  want  is. 
Dost  thou  really  think,  father,  that  he  will  be  so 
base,  so  revengeful,  as  to  let  us  have  only  half  our 
daily  supply  of  food,  because  I  refuse  to  marry  him  ?  " 

"  How  can  I  think  otherwise,  my  daughter,  with 
my  knowledge  of  his  villainous  character  ?  Yet  God 
may  confound  his  devices,  and  bring  his  evil  inten 
tions  to  nought.  Thou  knowest  the  Scripture — 4  He 
that  seeketh  mischief,  it  shall  come  upon  him ; '  4  The 
desire  of  the  wicked  shall  perish.' ' 

While  he  spoke  Rebekah  looked  with  longing  eyes 
toward  the  tower  of  Antonia,  and  heaved  a  deep 
sigh.  Her  mind  wandered,  as  it  had  a  thousand 
times  before,  to  Priscus,  whom  she  thought  might  be 
among  those  who  were  now  standing  on  the  tower, 
and  looking  down  to  the  courts  of  the  Temple.  She 
was  still  thinking  of  her  lover  when  Merto's  wife, 
who  now  stood  surrounded  by  Adah  and  her  own 
domestics  near  the  north-west  angle  of  the  roof, 
startled  her  with  an  agonizing  cry. 


The  Daily  Sacrifice  Ceases.  267 

"  Oh  !  oh !  oh !  we  are  undone  !  The  glory  of 
Israel  has  departed!  The  hour  of  our  destruction 
has  come  !  Oh  !  oh !  oh !  " 

"What  ails  thee ?  what  ails  thee?"  exclaimed 
Herodion  as  he  and  Rebekah  joined  the  other  group. 
Then  seeing  an  expression  of  intense  anguish  on  his 
sister's  face  as  she  stood  wringing  her  hands  and 
staring  towards  the  Temple,  he  added,  "  Tell  me,  in 
God's  name,  what  ails  thee,  Martha  ?  " 

He  had  not  finished  the  sentence  before  he  was 
startled  by  the  most  heart-rending  lamentations 
mingled  with  the  most  unearthly  cries  in  all  parts  of 
the  Upper  City.  For  a  moment  he  was  too  be 
wildered  to  discern  the  cause  of  all  this  strange  con 
fusion.  Nor  was  Rebekah  more  self-possessed.  She 
glanced  towards  the  area  between  the  tower  of 
Antonia  and  the  Temple,  but  seeing  no  cause  for 
lamentation  in  that  direction,  she  became  more  be 
wildered  than  ever,  until  at  last  the  true  cause 
dawned  upon  her.  The  daily  sacrifice  had  ceased! 
Yes ;  there  was  no  mistake  about  it.  There  was  the 
sun  with  all  its  usual  brightness  in  full  view  over 
Olivet.  But  the  silver  trumpets  of  the  Temple  were 
as  silent  as  the  grave;  nor  was  there  a  cloud  of 
smoke  even  as  large  as  a  man's  hand  visible  over  the 
court  of  the  priests.  The  end  doubtless  had  come ! 
So  thought  Rebekah  and  her  father  no  less  than,  the 
wailing  multitudes  around  them,  and  for  a  moment, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  they  had  long  considered  the 
daily  sacrifice  a  meaningless  rite  since  Christ  had 
offered  himself  up  once  for  all,  they  could  not  re 
frain  from  weeping.  Only  a  heart  of  stone  could  re 
main  immovable  when  a  whole  nation  was  in  tears. 
They  thought  how  terrible  it  must  be  to  their  fellow- 
countrymen  to  realize  that  so  important  a  part  of 
their  religion  had  ceased,  and  they  pitied  them  with 
all  their  hearts. 

The  shock  which  Martha  received  that  morn 
ing  was  so  violent  that  she  did  not  recover  for  several 
days  from  its  effects.  Nor  did  the  wailing  of  the 
people  cease  until  they  were  completely  exhausted. 


268  Uebekah. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

UNFRUITFUL   ATTACKS. 

THE  assault  which  the  Je\vs  expected  would  be  made 
on  the  Temple  did  not  take  place  until  the  people  had 
somewhat  recovered  from  their  terrible  disappoint 
ment  at  the  cessation  of  the  daily  sacrifice.  When 
the  battle  was  over,  Priscus,  learning  that  Marcus  the 
decurion  was  among  the  wounded,  hastened  as  soon  as 
possible  to  the  hospital,  and  arrived  there  just  as 
Caius  the  surgeon  was  approaching  the  section  where 
Marcus  lay. 

"Perpol  !  what  brings  thee  here,  my  Priscus," 
said  the  surgeon  eying  the  centurion  from  head  to 
foot.  "  Thou  dost  not  look  as  though  thou  didst  need 
my  service.  I  almost  wish  that  thou  hadst  received 
a  scratch  or  two  that  I  might  see  a  little  more  of  thee 
for  a  while,  for  thou  hast  not  favored  us  much  with 
thy  presence  of  late.  Yet  I  would  not  have  thee  re 
ceive  another  such  wound  as  that  which  was  inflicted 
upon  thee  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  for  that  was 
too  dangerous — far  too  dangerous.  Ah  !  hadst  thou 
been  under  the  treatment  of  one  of  the  conceited 
quacks  that  are  far  too  common  in  these  days,  instead 
of  being  attended  by  a  surgeon  of  the  first  cohort, 
fifth  legion,  I  fear  thou  wouldst  not  be  standing  there 
now." 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,  my  Caius ;  yet  although  I 
am  alive  and  whole,  a  dear  friend  of  ours  is  in  sore 
need  of  thy  service." 

"Indeed!  who  can  it  be?  Had  I  but  one  dear 
friend  there  would  be  no  need  to  put  the  question  to 
thee." 

"  Marcus  the  decurion." 

"Hercle!  where  is  he?  Why  didst  thou  not  tell 
me  before  ? 

"  Here,"  said  Marcus  rather  impatiently.  "  The 
centurion  would  have  told  thee  long  ago  had  thy 


Unfruitful  Attacks.  269 

tongue  given  him  an  opportunity.  Perpol !  if  I  once 
talked  Prisons  into  a  fever,  to  listen  to  thy  gibberish 
has  driven  me  almost  into  a  frenzy." 

"  Ho  !  ho  !  my  Marcus,  the  wound  is  evidently  not 
in  thy  tongue,"  said  Caius  as  he  and  Priscus  reached 
the  couch  upon  which  the  decurion  lay.  Then  he 
added  as  he  examined  a  flesh  wound  in  Marcus's  left 
limb,  "  Pooh  !  it  is  only  a  mere  scratch.  If  thou  hast 
dealt  as  leniently  with  thy  antagonist  as  he  has  with 
thee  thou  hast  little  reason  to  boast." 

"  Give  thyself  no  trouble  concerning  him,"  was  the 
reply  ;  "  he  at  least  will  never  boast  again.  But  there 
are  others  with  whom  I  have  an  account  to  settle, 
especially  that  reckless  villain  with  a  deep  scar  in 
his  cheek.  Therefore,  O  disciple  of  Chiron,  if  my 
wound  be  a  mere  scratch  I  shall  think  little  of  thy 
boasted  skill,  unless  I  be  able  to  quit  this  detestable 
place  in  a  few  days." 

"  Now  that  thou  art  in  my  power,  O  son  of  Mars," 
said  the  surgeon  as  he  dressed  the  wound,  "  I  shall  be 
in  no  hurry  to  get  rid  of  thee.  Here  I  am  king,  and 
my  will  is  law.  Woe  to  the  man  that  obeys  not  my 
commands.'' 

The  conversation  now  turned  upon  the  battle  that 
had  just  been  fought,  and  Priscus  said,  in  answer  to  a 
remark  of  the  surgeon, 

"  It  was  Ctesar's  purpose  to  surprise  the  enemy  as 
in  our  former  attack ;  but  in  this  he  was  disappointed, 
for  when  we  reached  the  outer  court  we  found  the 
guards  not  only  awake,  but  anxious  to  fight  with  us. 
Of  the  severe  conflict  that  followed  I  can  say  but 
little.  At  first  it  was  so  dark  that  neither  side  could 
see  the  other  distinctly,  and  the  din  was  so  great  that 
we  could  with  difficulty  hear  each  other's  voice. 
Therefore  confusion  was  inevitable.  This,  however, 
was  far  less  fatal  to  us  than  to  the  enemy,  for  they 
rushed  upon  each  other  as  if  they  were  enemies, 
while  we,  remembering  our  watchword,  kept  close  to 
each  other  and  sallied  forth  under  the  protection  of 
our  shields.  When  the  darkness  disappeared  there 


270  Eebekah. 

was  less  confusion,  and  the  darts  flew  faster  and 
thicker.  The  battle,  which  at  first  seemed  to  be 
greatly  in  our  favor,  now  became  more  wavering. 
At  one  moment  we  made  the  Jews  retreat,  then  the 
pursued  became  the  pursuer.  Thus  did  the  struggle 
continue,  until  both  sides  as  if  by  mutual  consent 
gave  up  fighting,  neither  of  them  being  victorious." 

"  By  Castor  !  I  like  not  that,"  said  Caius.  "  What 
did  it  avail  to  choose  thirty  of  the  most  valiant  out  of 
every  hundred,  while  they  have  made  fighting  a  mere 
farce  ?  Hercle  !  when  I  saw  you  all  march  out  of  the 
camp  this  morning  I  thought  that  all  the  vile  wretches 
lurking  in  the  Temple  would  immediately  be  sent  to 
make  the  acquaintance  of  Pluto  and  the  lower  regions. 
But  there  they  are  as  vigorous,  insolent,  and  detest 
able  us  ever!  Surely  Csesar  did  not  fight,  else  the 
whole  sacred  area  would  now  be  in  our  possession." 

"  Thou  shalt  soon  make  Pluto's  acquaintance  if 
thou  be  not  more  careful,"  said  Marcus,  knitting  his 
brow. 

"  Thy  words,  my  Caius,  show  .that  thou  knowest 
far  less  about  the  art  of  inflicting  wounds  than  about 
the  art  of  healing  them,"  said  Priscus.  "Thou 
shouldst  have  learned  something  from  thine  own  ex 
perience.  Thou  knowest  that  to  cure  a  man  who 
cares  not  to  live  is  a  difficult  matter.  In  like  manner 
to  conquer  men  who  fight  with  the  courage  of  despair 
is  not  easy.  Hadst  thou  witnessed  the  battle  this 
morning  thou  wouldst  have  commended  thy  country 
men  for  bravery  rather  than  accuse  them  of  coward 
ice.  The  consciousness  that  Csesar  was  watching 
the  fight  from  the  tower  of  Antonia  made  eveiy 
Roman  a  hero,  for  he  felt  that  disgrace  was  worse  than 
death,  and  honor  better  than  life." 

The  surgeon  now  being  through  with  his  patient, 
ended  the  conversation  by  saying  that  he  hoped  that 
heroism  would  receive  a  better  reward  in  the  next 
battle,  and  passed  on  to  the  next  sufferer.  Priscus 
also  soon  after  took  leave  of  Marcus,  promising  him 
another  visit  in  the  near  future.  On  reaching  An- 


Unfruitful  Attacks.  271 

tonia,  where  his  company  with  several  others  was  now 
stationed,  he  learned  that  four  banks  were  to  be  raised 
as  soon  as  possible  at  different  intervals  along  the 
northern  and  north-western  parts  of  the  outer  court, 
and  that  a  large  force  had  already  been  sent  to  a 
distance  of  twelve  and  a  half  miles  to  gather  materials 
for  their  construction.  Like  many  others  he  received 
this  news  with  pleasure,  for  he  was  anxious  that  the 
siege  should  be  brought  to  a  speedy  end,  for  several 
reasons.  He  was  telling  some  of  these  reasons  to 
another  centurion  when  the  standard-bearer  of  the 
fifth  legion,  entering  the  tower,  interrupted  him  by 
pointing  to  the  Jews  and  saying, 

"  Those  hungry  dogs  shall  feast  no  longer  011  horse 
flesh." 

"  What  dost  thou  mean  ?  "  said  both  the  centurions, 
not  a  little  puzzled. 

"  What  should  I  mean  but  that  several  of  the  horses 
turned  loose  by  the  horsemen  while  gathering  forage 
have  been  stolen  by  the  enemy,  and  that  Caesar  has 
just  ordered  one  of  those  who  have  lost  their  horses 
to  be  executed  as  a  lesson  to  the  rest  ? "  was  the 


reply 


•  ndeed  !  "  said  Priscus.  "  Severity  ever  follows 
at  the  heels  of  negligence." 

"  I  had  rather  have  it  at  my  heels  than  at  my  neck," 
sai'l  the  other  centurion,  laughing. 

"  If  I  mistake  not,"  continued  the  standard-bearer, 
"  the  scarcity  of  horse-flesh  will  soon  cause  those 
bloodthirsty  villains  to  fly  at  the  necks  of  some  of  us 
not  many  hours  hence." 

And  he  was  right,  for  after  a  few  hours  respite  a 
great  number  of  the  combined  forces  of  Simon  and 
John  ran  up  the  slopes  of  Olivet  towards  the  camp 
of  the  tenth  legion,  thinking  to  take  the  enemy  by 
surprise.  But  the  Romans  were  ready  to  receive 
them,  and  after  a  fierce  battle  forced  them  down  into 
the  valley.  At  this  juncture  in  the  fight,  Pedanius, 
who,  the  reader  will  remember,  was  one  of  those 
whom  Priscus  led  in  Jiis  attack  upon  Antonia,  spur- 


272  RebeJcah. 

ring  his  horse  on  the  enemy's  flank  and  bending  low 
over  the  horse's  side,  caught  a  lusty  young  Jew  by  the 
heel,  and  dragged  him  away  in  triumph  to  the  camp, 
while  shouts  of  laughter  greeted  him  from  Antonia. 

Among  those  standing  on  the  tower  was  Priscus, 
and  as  he  saw  the  horseman  galloping  away  with  his 
prize  he  exclaimed, 

"Ha,  ha,  behold  Pinto  carrying  off  Proserpina." 

"Thou  art  mistaken,"  said  another;  "Pluto  had 
four  horses  and  a  chariot.  If •  that  is  not  Pegasus 
mounted  by  Bellerophon  bearing  the  Chimsera's  head 
to  the  Lykian  king,  then  my  father  was  a  Jew." 

"  Look !  look  !  "  said  still  another,  pointing  to  a 
cloud  of  smoke  ascending,  from  the  court  below. 
"  The  centurion  is  right ;  for  that  smoke  shows  that 
Pluto  has  just  left  the  lower  world >  and  has  forgotten 
to  shut  the  door  behind  him." 

While  Priscus  and  the  other  spectators  were 
amusing  themselves  at  the  expense  of  the  ill-fated 
Jew,  those  who  had  been  driven  into  the  valley  re 
turned  into  the  Temple,  and  fearing  further  defeat, 
set  fire  to  the  north-western  cloister  or  colonnade  of 
the  outer  court,  which  was  joined  to  the  tower  of 
Antonia,  and  it  was  the  smoke  rising  from  this  fire 
that  attracted  the  attention  of  those  on  the  tower. 
About  thirty  feet  of  the  cloister  was  thus  destroyed, 
and  not  long  after  the  Romans  burned  the  remainder, 
which  now  left  the  tower  entirely  separated  from  the 
Temple.  The  Jews  made  no  effort  to  quench  the 
flames,  but  rather  helped  the  work  of  destruction  by 
tearing  down  portions  of  the  roof,  deeming  it  to  their 
advantage  to  have  the  whole  cloister  demolished. 
Nor  did  they  let  the  enemy  rest  unmolested;  but 
whenever  they  saw  a  favorable  opportunity  they  sal 
lied  forth  in  select  bodies  upon  the  Romans,  as  did 
also  the  Romans  upon  them. 

In  one  of  the  intervals  between  these  sallies,  while 
a  large  force  of  legionaries,  including  Priscus  and  his 
company,  stood  in  battle  array  in  front  of  the  monu 
ment  of  John  the  high  priest,  a  small.,  insignificant, 


Unfruitful  Attacks.  273 

but  fierce-looking  Jew  came  out  of  the  Temple  and 
challenged  the  strongest  and  bravest  of  them  to  a 
single  combat. 

"Ye  base,  cowardly,  uncircumcised  Philistines," 
said  he,  "  who  defy  the  armies  of  the  living  God,  send 
forth  your  Goliath  to  fight  with  me.  Let  him  come 
to  me  and  I  will  give  his  flesh  to  the  fowls  of  the  air, 
and  to  the  beasts  of  the  field  !  Ah  !  ye  hesitate,  ye 
tremble,  ye  grow  pale  !  Is  there  not  a  man  among 
all  the  cursed  legions  of  Rome  ?  Let  your  boasted 
Ca3sar  come  to  me,  and  I  will  show  him  what  a  son  of 
Abraham  can  do.  Ha,  ha,  ha !  ye  are  all  women! 
Like  Jonathan,  my  namesake  of  old,  I  can  slay  a 
whole  garrison  of  you  !  " 

"  The  vile  braggart !  why  does  not  some  oue  ac 
cept  his  challenge,  and  put  an  end  to  his  insolence? 
By  Jupiter,  had  I  eaten  as  much  as  usual  to-day  I 
would  fight  with  him  myself,"  said  Publius. 

"  Thou  hast  mistaken  the  seat  of  thy  weakness," 
said  Prisons..  "  It  is  not  in  thy  stomach  but  in  thy 
heart,  if  indeed  thou  hast  a  heart." 

"  Thou  hast  no  reason  to  think  that,"  was  the 
sullen  reply ;  "  for  did  not  Csesar  himself  commend 
my  valor  in  that  attack  upon  Antonia  ?  " 

While  Publius  spoke,  one  of  the  horsemen,  unable 
to  endure  the  Jew's  insolence  any  longer,  rushed  from 
the  ranks  to  accept  the  challenge.  Before  he  reached 
the  spot  where  his  antagonist  stood,  however,  he 
stumbled  and  fell,  and  while  a  shout  of  terror  went 
up  from  the  Romans,  the  Jew  ran  to  him  and  slew 
him.  Then  standing  on  the  dead  body  he  shook  his 
shield  and  brandished  his  sword  in  defiance  at  the 
enemy,  exclaiming, 

"  Ha,  ha !  behold  your  Goliath  !  Say  ye  that  there 
is  no  God  in  Israel  ?  Do  ye  despise  David  with  his 
sling?  By  the  horns  of  the  altar,  I  can  cut  the 
throats  of  ten  thousand  dogs  of  Rome." 

uGive  me  thy  spear,"  said  Priscus,  addressing 
Publius; — "the  lighter  one.  There!  I  will  send 
that  insulting  wretch  where  he  has  sent  Pudens." 


274  Rebekah. 

Stepping  forward  a  few  paces,  he  then  hurled  the 
javelin  with  all  his  force  towards  the  Jew,  piercing 
him  through  and  putting  a  sudden  stop  to  his  antics, 
while  both  Jews  and  Romans,  though  for  different 
reasons,  rent  the  air  with  shouts. 

"  By  all  the  gods,"  said  Publius  as  the  Jew  reeled 
and  fell,  "that  was  well  done.  I  could  do  no  better 
myself!" 

Priscus  laughed,  and  assumed  his  place  to  await 
further  developments. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

FIENDS   AGAIN  AT    LARGE. 

"An  !  I  am  glad  thou  hast  returned.  Hast  thou 
brought  a  letter  for  me  ?  " 

"  No  ;  as  the  Romans  are  raising  new  banks,  Pris 
cus  must  be  too  busy  to  write  at  present.  Perhaps 
it  will  not  be  necessary  for  him  to  write  again.  If 
the  extremity  which  the  seditious  are  in  continues  to 
increase,  which  it  must  do,  they  cannot  resist  much 
longer." 

"  Is  it  true  that  the  famine  has  overtaken  them  ?  " 

"  Ay,  most  of  them  are  already  compelled  to  eat 
girdles,  shoes,  the  leather  belonging  to  their  shields, 
wisps  of  old  hay,  and  even  substances  which  the 
most  filthy  animals  would  not  touch." 

Such  was  the  conversation  that  passed  between 
Rebekah  and  her  father  soon  after  the  Jewish  attack 
upon  the  camp  of  the  tenth  legion,  and  as  they  con 
tinued  to  talk  they  saw  a  few  of  the  seditious  has 
tening  in  the  direction  of  the  Upper  City.  The  group 
was  composed  of  eight  of  John's  followers,  and  had 
belonged  to  Judas's  command  before  he  deserted  to 
Simon.  As  they  passed  out  through  the  south 
western  gate  of  the  .Temple  upon  the  bridge  which 
spanned  the  Tyropseon,  one  of  the  foremost  remarked 
to  his  companions, 

"  Ha,  ha !  though  we  lack  food  we  have  shown  our 


Mends  Again  At  Large.  275 

enemies  this  day  that  we  have  wit  enough  and  to 
spare." 

44  Thou  hast  spoken  truly,"  was  the  reply.  "  Yet 
I  would  that  more  had  fallen  into  our  net.  When 
we  retired  after  making  the  cloister  ready  for  the 
flames,  I  prayed  that  the  God  of  our  fathers  might 
lead  a  multitude  of  our  enemies  into  destruction. 
But  he  answered  not  my  prayer  as  of  old.  As  tbou 
knowest,  scarcely  a  hundred  mounted  the  roof ;  but 
— ha,  ha — they  failed  not  to  amuse  us." 

"  By  the  witch  of  Endor,  I  thought  my  sides  would 
split  with  laughter  when  the  fire  burst  out  among 
them  and  around  them;  for  they  acted  like  demo 
niacs,  some  throwing  themselves  backward  into  the 
city,  others  leaping  down  among  us  as  if  anxious  to 
have  their  throats  cut,  and  others  crying  like  children 
among  the  flames.  Nor  were  the  cries  and  looks  of 
those  standing  at  the  tower  less  amusing,  when,  be 
holding  the  distress  of  their  fellows,  they  realized 
that  they  could  not  deliver  them." 

"  Didst  thou  see  that  fellow  throwing  himself 
down  upon  the  other?" 

"  I  saw  some  leaping  down  upon  the  pavement, 
and  writhing  in  agony  with  all  their  limbs  broken." 

"  This  fellow  of  whom  I  speak  called  out  to  one 
Lucius,  saying  that  if  he  would  come  and  receive  him, 
he  would  leave  him  heir  to  all  he  possessed." 

"  Ha,  ha  !  and  the  fool  accepted  the  offer  ?  " 

"  Accepted  it  ?  Ay ;  so  eager  was  he  to  gain  a 
fortune  that  he  ran  immediately  to  receive  the  other, 
and  ere  he  could  have  time  to  repent  of  his  folly  he  was 
dashed  to  death  upon  the  pavement,  while  the  other, 
leaping  down  upon  him,  escaped  with  but  little  in 
jury-" 

The  stratagem  hinted  at  in  this  dialogue  had  been 
put  into  effect  early  in  the  day,  and  had  resulted  in 
the  destruction  of  the  western  cloister  as  far  as  the 
tower  which  John  had  built  above  the  Xystus,  as 
well  as  in  the  death  of  most  of  the  Roman  soldiers 
that  had  in  their  hastiness  allowed  themselves  to  be 


276  Eebekah. 

entrapped  by  the  Jews.  Had  the  speakers  then 
viewed  the  matter  in  its  true  light,  they  would  have 
seen  that  their  own  cause  had  sustained  far  greater 
loss  than  the  Romans  by  their  stratagem.  But  they 
rejoiced  as  though  they  had  gained  a  complete  victory. 
As  they  proceeded  on  their  course  they  were  so  weak 
with  hunger  that  they  frequently  staggered  against 
each  other  and  various  objects  along  the  way.  When 
the  western  end  of  the  bridge  was  reached  the  whole 
group  entered  into  a  lively  discussion,  some  wanting  to 
go  one  way,  and  some  another.  At  last  they  agreed  to 
enter  a  lane  that  led  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  south  of 
the  market-place.  It  is  not  necessary  for  us  to  fol 
low  them  into  all  the  houses  they  entered,  nor  to 
describe  all  that  they  saw  and  did.  Indeed,  if  a 
minute  description  of  the  horrors  attending  their  vain, 
search  for  food  were  demanded,  it  would  be  impossi 
ble  for  an  uninspired  pen  to  give  it.  These  horrors 
had  but  little  effect  upon  the  hardened  villains  whom 
we  now  follow,  however.  Nor  did  they  show  the 
least  pity  or  sympathy  for  those  whom  they  found 
dying  of  want,  but  they  searched  all  their  clothes, 
thinking  that  they  only  feigned  dying  that  they 
might  not  be  deprived  of  the  little  food  they  had. 

As  they  neared  the  house  of  a  woman  of  high 
family,  who  had  early  in  the  war  fled  to  Jerusalem 
from  Perea  with  a  considerable  part  of  her  wealth, 
they  perceived  the  scent  of  roasted  meat,  and  tried 
to  precede  each  other  into  the  house,  staggering, 
stumbling,  and  reeling  like  drunken  men.  In  their 
mad  excitement  they  looked  and  acted  more  like 
famished  beasts  than  human  beings  as  they  passed 
from  room  to  room  in  quest  of  their  expected  booty. 
When  they  reached  the  inner  room  they  were  con 
fronted  by  a  tall,  emaciated  form  who  greeted  them 
with  a  hysterical  laugh,  and  cried, 

"  Ah !  the  jackals  have  again  scented  their  prey, 
and  the  vultures  have  come  to  their  feast ! " 

"  Hold  thy  peace,  thou  witch  of  Endor,  and  show 


Fiends  Again  At  Lary&.  277 

us  the  food  thou  hast  ere  we  cut  thy  throat,"  was 
the  thundering  reply. 

"  Come  then,  O  ye  cut-throats,  and  satisfy  your 
hunger.  The  lions  that  feed  upon  their  victims  in 
the  arena  have  never  tasted  sweeter  meat  than  that 
which  I  have  reserved  for  you,"  said  the  woman,  with 
another  strange  laugh,  as  she  uncovered  a  large 
platter  in  the  cupboard. 

The  plunderers  pressed  forward,  crowding,  pushing, 
and  cursing  each  other  in  their  anxiety  to  get  at  the 
food,  but  as  soon  as  they  realized  what  the  platter 
contained  they  uttered  an  exclamation  of  horror  and 
fell  back  pell-mell  against  the  door. 

"  What !  will  ye  not  eat  what  I  have  saved  for  you  ? 
Have  ye  not  carried  away  all  my  money,  my  jewels, 
my  costly  vessels  and  garments,  and  my  provisions  ? 
Why  then  should  you  hesitate  to  take  that  also  ?  " 

"  Woman,  thou  art  mad  ! "  said  one  of  the  robbers. 
"  Thou  art  an  everlasting  reproach  to  thy  people  ;  for 
who  has  ever  heard  of  a  crime  like  thine?" 

"If  I  am  mad,"  was  the  vehement  reply,  "it  is  ye 
that  have  made  me  so !  If  I  have  permitted  hunger 
to  overcome  maternal  instinct,  it  is  ye  that  have 
caused  me  to  do  it !  Shall  I  listen  to  your  reproaches, 
then,  O  ye  sons  of  Belial  ?  Shall  the  condemnation  of 
seditious  varlets,  villains,  and  wretches  fall  upon  my 
head?  Away  with  you,  impious  knaves,  and  let  the 
remainder  of  my  sacrifice  be  mine  !  " 

The  plunderers  needed  no  further  urging ;  the 
realization  of  what  the  famishing  mother  had  done, 
together  with  the  horrible  spectacle  they  saw,  was 
sufficient  to  drive  them  from  the  house.  Returning 
to  the  narrow  street  they  pursued  their  course  up  the 
hill,  telling  everybody  they  met  of  their  hideous  dis 
covery.  At  length  they  stopped  in  front  of  Merto's 
house,  and  saw  posted  on  the  door  the  following  words 
in  large  characters  : 

"  INTRUDERS  ARE  FORBIDDEN  TO  ENTER  THIS 
HOUSE  UNDER  PAIN  OF  DEATH. 

"  Judas  the  son  of  Merto,  ly  order  of  Simon" 


278  fiebekah. 

"  Abaddon  take  him  !  "  said  the  commander  of  the 
group,  after  reading  the  notice.  "  What  care  we 
about  either  the  son  of  Merto  or  Simon  ?  Are  we 
not  perishing  of  hunger,  while  these  cursed  favorites 
have  abundance  to  eat  ?  Come,  let  us  effect  an 
entrance  and  demand  our  share  of  the  spoils." 

"  What !  art  thou  tired  of  life  ?  "  said  another. 

"  By  the  sword  of  Goliath,"  was  the  reply,  "  I 
had  rather  perish  after  a  good  meal  than  with  an 
empty  stomach  !  Come,  the  sword  is  a  better  execu 
tioner  than  famine." 

"  But  the  door  is  strong,  and  we  have  no  bars  with 
which  to  force  it  open,"  said  a  chorus  of  voices. 

"  Doors  yield  to  other  touch  than  that  of  iron 
bars,"  continued  the  leader,  smiling.  "  It  is  a  long 
time  since  I  helped  Judas  to  prevent  the  escape  of  his 
pretty  cousin  and  her  father,  but  I  have  not  forgotten 
his  rap.  Listen." 

He  gave  a  peculiar  knock  seven  times  with  the 
hilt  of  his  sword,  and  immediately  they  heard 
approaching  footsteps  at  the  other  end  of  the  passage. 
Then  a  voice  asked, 

"  Whence  comest  thou  ?  " 

"  I  am  a  Levite  of  Bethlehem-Judah,  and  I  go  to 
sojourn  where  I  might  find  a  place,"  was  the  prompt 
reply. 

"  Dwell  with  me,  and  be  unto  me  a  father  and  a 
priest,"  said  the  porter,  opening  the  door. 

Then  the  robbers  rushed  into  the  passage,  and  their 
villainous  leader,  seizing  the  porter  by  the  beard,  said, 
"Art  thou  in  health,  my  brother  Micah?  "  while 
he  dealt  him  a  terrible  blow  on  the  head  with  his 
scabbard.  Finding  no  further  obstacle  in  the  way, 
they  entered  the  court-yard,  and  passed  into  the 
lower  story  of  the  house,  where  they  found  a  domestic 
busy  preparing  the  evening  meal.  Had  they  looked 
back  when  they  entered  the  lewen  which  served  as 
kitchen,  they  would  have  seen  Adah,  Herodion's 
servant,  stealing  into  the  passage  they  had  just  left ; 
but  they  were  too  intent  upon  allaying  their  hunger 


Fiends  Again  At  Large.  279 

to  look  behind  them.  The  domestic  did  not  see  them 
until  they  were  close  upon  her,  for  they  made  no 
unnecessary  noise.  We  can  imagine  her  terror,  then, 
when  she  realized  her  situation  and  saw  the  plunderers 
devouring  with  beast-like  rapacity  what  she  had  been 
preparing.  As  the  food  was  scarcely  more  than 
would  make  a  fair  meal  for  two,  it  was  little  more 
than  a  mouthful  for  the  hungry  group  of  eight  that 
now  fought  for  it.  Nor  did  they  eat  it  without  burn 
ing  their  mouths  for  they  snatched  most  of  it  hot 
from  the  oven.  Maddened  by  this  circumstance  and 
by  their  craving  for  more,  they  threatened  the  servant 
with  instant  death  unless  she  showed  them  where  the' 
family  supply  was  kept. 

"  I — I  know  not,  good  masters, — O  spare  my  life — 
my  mistress  has  the  key — she  knows  where  it  is  kept," 
was  the  stammering  reply. 

"Thou  liest,  vile  slave,  thou  liest !  Thou  both 
knowest  where  the  food  is  kept  and  hast  the  key," 
said  the  leader,  shaking  her  violently,  while  the  others 
menaced  her  with  their  swords.  "Come,  show  us 
where  it  is  or  thou  diest,  thou  lying  wretch !  " 

"  I  cannot,  my  lords, — do  me  no  violence — my 
mistress  will  show  you." 

"  And  where  is  thy  mistress  ?  Canst  thou  tell  us 
that  ?  Come,  make  haste  !  " 

"  She — she  is  on  the  house-top — she  and  my  master, 
and  Herodion  and  his  daughter." 

After  threatening  her  once  more  they  now  ascended 
to  the  house-top,  cursing  the  pain  in  their  mouths 
every  step  they  took.  As  they  reached  the  top 
Rebekah  uttered  a  scream  and  stepped  behind  her 
father,  while  Martha  with  a  terrified  look  stood  like 
a  statue  beside  her  husband.  The  two  couples  stood 
a  little  apart  near  the  parapet  that  overlooked  the 
street.  The  plunderers  waited  for  no  ceremonies, 
but  boldly  approached  the  couples,  while  Merto 
demanded, 

"  What  means  this  intrusion  ?  Did  ye  not  read  the 
warning  posted  on  the  door  ?  " 


280  -   RelelcaL 

"  It  means  that  thy  supper  tasted  so  good  that  we 
have  decided  to  put  thy  hospitality  to  the  proof," 
insolently  answered  the  leader. 

"  Holy  Abraham ! "  said  Merto's  wife  in  whose 
bosom  resentment  now  got  the  better  of  terror,  "  tho 
villains  have  eaten  our  last  morsel !  Everlasting 
curses  be  on  your  heads !  " 

"  Woman,  thou  liest ;  we  have  hot  eaten  your 
last  morsel ;  but  thou  hast  eaten  thine  unless  thou 
immediately  show  us  where  the  food  is  stored. 
Come,  thy.  servant  has  told  us  that  thou  hast  the 
key,"  said  the  leader,  approaching  a  little  nearer. 

"  Stand  back,  thou  brazen  villain,  stand  back !  " 
commanded  Martha,  stamping  her  foot.  "  Had  I  a 
thousand  keys  to  open  as  many  granaries,  I  should 
never  give  thee  nor  thy  impious  companions  even  a 
grain  as  large  as  a  mustard  seed !  O  that  Judas  were 
here,  that  he  might  give  your  insolence  its  just 
reward  !  Is  there  no  one  to  go  and  summon  him  to 
our  aid  ?  " 

"  None,  O  daughter  of  Philistia,  none.  Thy  ac 
cursed  son  has  gotten  his  full  share  of  the  spoils,  and 
we  have  come  to  demand  ours.  Not  a  soul  shall 
leave  this  roof  until  our  request  is  granted  ;  nay, 
unless  thou  tell  us  immediately  where  the  food  is  ye 
all  shall  be  cut  to  pieces.  Do  ye  hear?" 

While  the  leader  spoke  the  others  stood  with 
drawn  swords  ready  to  fall  on  their  victims.  Never 
theless  Rebekah  found  courage  enough  to  say, 

"  Do  we  look  as  if  we  were  well  fed  ?  Are  we  not 
even  now  almost  too  weak  to  stand  ?  Why  then 
should  it  be  considered  a  crime  that  we  refuse  to  give 
you  the  little  we  have,  if  indeed  there  be  any  left?  " 

"  Ah !  so  thou  hast  found  thy  voice,  fair  sorceress," 
said  the  leader,  making  a  movement  in  her  direction. 
"  I  have  had  a  strong  desire  to  taste  the  sweetness  of 
thy  lips  ever  since  that  night  when  thy  love  stricken 
cousin  kissed  thee  in  the  passage.  Now  I  shall  take 
mine  own  with  interest." 

"  Away,  thou  vile  wretch,"  cried  Rebekah,  giving 


Fiends  Again  At  Large.  281 

him  a  violent  push,  amidst  a  burst  of  laughter  froni 
the  other  robbers. 

"  Stand  back,  thou  impudent  knave,"  said  Hero- 
dion,  now  speaking  for  the  first  time  since  the  arrival 
of  the  intruders.  "  Thou  shalt  taste  my  blood  ere  thou 
shalt  kiss  my  daughter.  Her  lips  are  too  pure  to  be 
polluted  by  a  blackened  villain  like  thee  !  Begone  ! 
Hark  !  Ha,  ha,  God  has  heard  our  prayer." 

Judas,  having  been  informed  of  the  robbers'  intru 
sion  by  Adah,  now  appeared  on  the  scene  with  a  dozen 
followers,  and  a  desperate  fight  ensued.  Rebekah 
and  her  father  succeeded  in  withdrawing  to  the  other 
end  of  the  roof  as  Judas  and  his  men  rushed  for 
ward  ;  but  Merto  and  his  wife  were  not  so  fortunate, 
for  the  combatants  cut  off  every  possibility  of  retreat 
before  they  had  time  to  think  of  it.  This  proved 
fatal  to  Merto ;  for,  as  the  robbers  were  driven  back 
towa-rds  the  parapet,  they  knocked  him  over,  and  he 
was  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  pavement  below,  as  were 
also  two  of  the  robbers  who  went  over  with  him. 
Merto's  wife  would  have  met  the  same  fate,  had  she 
not  fainted  and  fallen  just  inside  the  parapet,  as  her 
husband  disappeared.  Nor  did  even  this  prevent  her 
from  being  badly  injured  by  being  trampled  in  the 
conflict.  Her  injuries  and  the  death  of  her  husband 
were  speedily  revenged,  however,  in  the  complete  ex 
termination  of  the  robbers. 

We  will  not  attempt  to  describe  the  awful  scene 
which  Herodion  and  others  witnessed  at  the  close  of 
the  fight.  It  was  well  for  Rebekah  that  she  had  sunk 
into  unconsciousness  as  the  combat  commenced,  for 
nothing  could  ever  have  erased  such  a  ghastly  sight 
from  her  memory.  Nor  did  Herodion  view  it  long ; 
but,  taking  his  daughter  in  his  arms,  he  carried  her 
down  to  the  house,  while  Judas  performed  a  like  ser 
vice  for  his  mother.  Then  followed  those  kind  and 
wise  attentions  which  love  always  bestows  on  its 
afflicted  objects. 

As  we  might  expect,  the  robbers'  bodies  found  no 
burial,  but  were  thrown  into  a  house  whose  inhabit- 


282  Relekah. 

ants  were  all  dead  with  famine.  The  mortal  remains 
of  Merto  and  the  porter,  however,  were  interred  in 
an  empty  cistern,  as  were  also  those  of  two  of  Judas's 
men  that  had  been  slain. 


CHAPTER   XL. 

THE   GLORY   OF  ISRAEL  IS   DEPARTED. 

ALTHOUGH  the  next  morning  found  but  little  trace 
of  the  bloody  struggle  that  had  taken  place  the  pre 
vious  evening  on  the  house-top,  yet  there  hung  a 
gloom  over  the  two  households  especially  concerned  in 
the  struggle,  that  lingered  several  days.  True  that  Re- 
bekah's  indisposition  was  neither  serious  nor  pro 
tracted  ;  yet  the  presence  of  the  robbers  and  the  at 
tending  circumstances  had  so  prejudiced  her  mind 
against  the  house-top  that  she  could  not  even  bear 
the  thought  of  ascending  to  it  for  nearly  a  week. 
Meanwhile  she  spent  many  an  hour  at  the  bedside  of 
her  aunt,  who  soon  began  to  show  encouraging  symp 
toms.  This  attention  on  her  part  to  the  afflicted 
mother  caused  the  son  to  relax  not  a  little  in  his 
severity  towards  her  and  her  father.  True  that  he 
made  the  insolent  visit  of  the  robbers  a  pretext  for 
placing  a  small  body  of  guards  in  the  court ;  yet  he 
commanded  that,  for  the  present,  Herodion  and  his 
daughter  were  to  have  equal  share,  with  the  rest  in 
the  house,  of  the  limited  supply  of  food  that  remained. 
While  this  change  was  very  agreeable  to  his  much- 
abused  relatives,  they  rightly  judged  that  it  was  but 
a  glimpse  of  sunshine  before  a  storm.  They  feared 
that  Judas,  as  soon  as  his  mother  was  recovered, 
would  again  try  to  force  Rebekah  to  marry  him,  and 
that  he  would  not  hesitate  to  give  free  range  to  his 
tyrannical  spirit,  seeing  that  his  father  was  no  longer 
there  to  restrain  him.  They,  therefore,  prayed  that 
deliverance  might  come  while  their  condition  was 
comparatively  favorable ;  and  thought  their  prayers 
answered  when,  at  length,  they  witnessed  a  renewal 


The  Glory  of  Israel  is  Departed.  288 

of  hostilities  between  the  besiegers  and  defenders  of 
the  Temple.  But  they  were  mistaken,  as  we  shall 
see  hereafter. 

The  attack  which  the  Romans  made  on  that  day 
was  very  unsatisfactory  to  themselves,  for  when  on 
the  completion  of  their  works  in  the  outer  court,  they 
brought  their  battering  rams  to  bear  on  the  western 
edifice  of  the  inner  court,  they  worked  for  hours 
without  making  the  least  impression  upon  it.  The 
undermining  of  one  of  the  northern  gates  was  also 
futile,  since  the  inner  stones  could  not  be  removed. 
Nor  did  mounting  on  the  roof  of  the  cloisters  help 
them,  for  the  Jews  rushed  upon  them  in  great  num 
bers,  slaying  many  of  them,  and  capturing  their 
engines.  Incensed  by  this  defeat,  the  Romans  set  fire 
to  the  gates,  whence  the  flames  spread  to  the  cloisters, 
all  of  which  were  in  ashes  before  the  close  of  the  next 
day.  When  the  fire  commenced,  the  Jews  instead  of 
endeavoring  to  quench  it  stood  as  if  they  had  all  been 
transformed  into  statues.  Indeed,  so  great  was  their 
consternation  that  they  offered  not  the  least  resist 
ance  until  the  enemy  had  completed  their  prepara 
tions  to  take  the  place  by  storm,  when  a  fearful 
carnage  took  place. 

Rebekah  and  her  father  were  not  a  little  astonished 
at  the  conduct  of  the  Jewish  forces,  as  it  was  so 
unusual.  Nor  were  they  without  curiosity  to  know 
what  action  the  Romans  were  about  to  take.  A  letter 
from  Priscus,  however,  which  they  received  not  long 
after  the  gates  were  burned,  gave  them  satisfaction 
on  this  point. 

"  Ah  !  God  bless  him,"  said  Herodion  after  listen 
ing  to  the  letter.  "  Though  a  Roman,  he  is  a  true 
follower  of  Christ,  and  his  letters  are  always  mes 
sengers  of  peace  and  comfort  to  us.  But  read  again, 
Rebekah,  that  paragraph  which  speaks  of  the  decision 
of  the  council  of  war." 

Rebekah  obeyed,  reading  as  follows  : — 

"Csesar  and  his  commanders  have  just  had  a 
council  of  war  to  decide  what  action  to  take  with 


284  Rebekah. 

reference  to  the  Temple.  Some  of  the  commanders, 
I  understand,  thought  the  Holy  House  should  be 
completely  destroyed,  since  the  enemy  make  it  their 
stronghold ;  others  thought  that  it  might  be  spared  if 
the  besieged  would  depart  from  it.  Csesar,  however, 
unwilling  to  have  it  demolished,  both  'because  of  the 
sacred  associations  connected  with  it,  and  because 
he  desired  to  preserve  it  for  future  generations,  ob 
jected  to  its  destruction  in  his  inimitable  way,  and 
convinced  the  majority  .of  the  commanders  that  the 
course  they  had  suggested  was  not  the  best.  Hence, 
most  beloved  friends,  if  the  Sanctuary  be  destroyed, 
it  will  be  against  the  will  of  Caesar." 

Here  Rebekah  paused,  and  her  father  remarked, 
"  As  I  have  often  said  before,  those  who  are 
strangers  to  the  true  and  living  God  have  greater 
reverence  for  his  Holy  House  than  those  who  claim 
to  be  his  worshipers.  Yet,  Rebekah,  even  Titus  can 
not  prevent  its  destruction,  since  God  wills  that  one 
stone  shall  not  remain  upon  another  in  it.  Mark  my 
words,  either  Roman  fury  or  Jewish  madness  will 
complete  the  work  already  begun  not  many  days 
hence.  Indeed,  I  think  that  before  the  close  of 
another  day  it  will  be  a  heap  of  ruins,  for  is  not  to 
morrow  the  tenth  of  Ab,  the  very  month  and  day  in 
which  the  first  Temple  was  burnt  by  the  Babylonian 
army?" 

Herodion  was  not  a  prophet,  but  he  was  a  keen 
observer  of  men  and  events,  and  his  daughter  had 
learned  to  attach  much  importance  to  his  opinions. 
Hence  when  she  awoke  next  morning,  one  of  the  first 
thoughts  that  entered  her  mind  was  that  touching 
what  her  father  had  said  the  night  before.  When 
she  entered  the  principal  room  she  found  him  reading 
the  Prophecy  of  Isaiah,  which,  however,  he  laid  aside 
as  she  seated  herself,  and  informed  her  that  as  yet  all 
was  quiet  in  the  Temple,  but  that  Judas,  who  had 
just  been  paying  his  mother  a  hasty  visit,  said  that 
Simon  and  John  were  going  to  make  a  combined 
attack  upon  the  Romans  some  time  before  noon. 


The  Glory  of  Israel  is  Departed.  285 

"  Then,  surely  that  which  thou  saidst  last  night  will 
prove  to  be  true,"  said  Rebekah. 

"  According  to  what  Judas  said,"  was  the  reply, 
"the  seditious  regard  this  as  an  unpropitious  day,  but 
think  that  by  making  a  violent  attack  upon  the  enemy 
they  may  at  least  delay  the  progress  of  destruction. 
Yet  he  seems  to  fear  the  worst,  for  he  has  strictly 
charged  his  mother  not  to  leave  her  bed  whatever 
comes  to  pass." 

"I  have  neither  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  nor  the 
prophetic  insight  of  Isaiah,"  said  Rebekah ;  "  yet  it 
seems  to  me  that  an  attack  will  provoke  rather  than 
prevent  the  evil  which  they  fear." 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,  my  daughter ;  they  have 
tempted  God  so  long  that  the  cup  of  his  wrath  must 
now  be  nearly  full." 

The  appearance  of  Adah  with  the  announcement 
that  the  morning  meal  was  ready  now  brought  the 
conversation  to  a  close,  and  about  an  hour  later  Re 
bekah  passed  into  her  aunt's  apartment. 

"  Ah !  thou  hast  at  last  corne.  I  almost  thought 
thou  hadst  forgotten  me  !  "  said  Martha  as  her  niece 
stood  before  her. 

"  Indeed  !  but  thou  seest  I  have  not  forgotten  thee, 
nor  am  I  going  to  leave  thee  soon.  I  need  not  ask 
thee  if  thou  art  better,  for  thy  looks  tell  me  that  thou 
art." 

"  Truly  the  Lord  is  good  to  me,  Rebekah,  for  he 
has  restored  to  me  much  of  my  former  strength,  and 
I  hope  soon  to  be  well,"  was  the  reply.  "  Yet  I  would 
that  I  could  sit  by  that  window  to  watch  the  attack 
which  our  forces  are  going  to  make  this  morning." 

"  Since  thou  art  not  yet  able  to  sit  up,"  said  Re 
bekah,  "  I  will  be  eyes  for  thee ;  but  thou  must 
promise  me  not  to  be  too  much  excited.  But  hark ! 
that  is  Israel's  battle-cry ;  they  are  rushing  to  the 
fight ! " 

"  Run  to  the  window ;  quick !  quick !  Rebekah. 
Ah !  would  I  could  go  too !  " 

"  They  are   now  sallying  forth  through  the   east 


286  Bebekah. 

gate  like  a  mighty  torrent,"  cried  Rebekah.  "  But 
the  Romans  who  guard  the  outer  court  join  their 
shields  in  front  of  their  bodies  to  receive  them  !  " 

"  The  God  of  Israel  be  with  the  defenders  of  his 
holy  Temple!  What  are  they  doing  now,  Rebekah?  " 

"They  are  fighting  hand  to  hand — the  clash  of 
arms  is  deafening — the  lightning  of  human  wrath 
flashes  out  of  every  sword.  Our  countrymen  now 
retreat — no  they  stand,  and  drive  the  Romans  back. 
O  God !  help  them — they  are  being  overwhelmed  !  " 

" Who  are  being  overwhelmed?  Our  defenders? 
For  heaven's  sake  tell  me  !  " 

"The  Romans!  the  Romans!"  said  Rebekah. 
Then  added,  muttering  to  herself,  "  O  God,  strengthen 
the  arms  of  our  deliverers ;  let  not  the  seditious 
prevail." 

"Ha,  ha!  the  enemy  will  yet  be  confounded,4*  said 
Martha.  "  Israel  shall  yet  prevail  against  the  mighty ! 
But  what  is  that  terrible  noise  ?  " 

"  A  troop  of  horsemen  gallop  to  the  assistance  of 
the  Romans  from  the  tower  of  Antonia — they  fall  on 
the  forefront  of  our  countrymen  and  put  the  rest  to 
flight,"  answered  Rebekah,  inwardly  rejoicing. 

Martha  wrung  her  hands  and  groaned,  and  fixing 
her  eyes  on  the  ceiling,  cried, 

"  O  God !  how  long  wilt  thou  hide  thy  face  from 
us?  Wilt  thou  be  wroth  forever  with  thy  people  ? 
O  let  Israel  prevail !  "  Then  looking  towards  Rebekah 
she  said, 

"  Surely  the  un circumcised  Philistines  have  not 
entered  the  inner  count  ?  " 

"  They  have  ceased  fighting,  and  the  Romans  are 
marching  towards  the  tower — no,  the  conflict  is 
renewed — the  Jews  rush  after  the  enemy,  and  they 
turn  back  to  receive  them  !  The  din  of  battle  again 
rends  the  air,  and  death  has  returned  to  the 
slaughter !  " 

"  May  the  sword  of  the  Lord  come  to  the  help  of 
the  oppressed  I  Does  the  battle  still  favor  the  eneiny, 
Rebekah  ?  " 


The  G-lory  of  Israel  is  Departed.  287 

"  Ay,  the  Jews  are  again  put  to  flight,  but  they 
fight  as  they  retreat.  They  are  now  all  in  the  inner 
court — the  Romans  have  shut  them  in,  and  rejoice 
over  their  victory." 

When  the  conflict  ceased,  Rebekah  left  her  post  of 
observation,  and  sought  to  comfort  her  aunt  in  her 
sorrow  at  the  Jews' defeat.  Not  long  after,  however, 
she  was  again  attracted  to  the  window  by  the  Jewish 
war-cry,  and  saw  the  seditious  attacking  the  Roman 
guards  who  had  been  ordered  into  the  inner  court  to 
quench  the  fire  that  smoldered  in  the  ruins  of  the 
cloisters.  Then  after  a  protracted  and  fierce  engage 
ment,  she  beheld  the  Romans  drive  the  Jews  back  as 
far  as  the  Sanctuary,  and  while  she  watched  this 
movement  a  cloud  of  smoke  arising  from  the  north 
side  of  the  Holy  Place  caught  her  eye.  Unseen  by 
her,  a  bold  Roman  soldier,  having  seized  a  fire-brand, 
had  run  by  the  altar  of  burnt  offerings  and  had  set 
fire  to  the  rooms  surrounding  the  Sanctuary,  and  as 
the  smoke  attracted  her  attention,  wails  of  terror  and 
despair,  such  as  she  had  never  heard  before,  arose 
both  from  the  Temple  and  the  house-tops,  while  the 
seditious  ran  about  like  maniacs,  trying  in  vain  to 
quench  the  flames. 

Fearing  lest  her  aunt  would  become  uncontrol- 
able,  Rebekah  kept  her  in  total  ignorance  of  the  fire 
until  her  own  excitement  betrayed  the  true  condition 
of  affairs.  She  was  telling  her  of  .the  conflict  going 
on  in  the  Court  of  the  Priests  when  Titus,  closely 
followed  by  his  commanders,  and  these  again  by  the 
different  legions,  came  running  to  the  scene  of  action, 
causing -the  greatest  confusion  and  the  most  deafen 
ing  noise.  Then,  while  the  Romans  were  trampling 
each  other  and  the  enemy  under  their  feet  in  their 
anxiety  to  reach  the  Sanctuary,  the  glitter  of  whose 
golden  front  dazzled  them,  she  saw  Titus  commanding 
his  men  with  excited  gestures  to  extinguish  the 
flames.  But  so  great  was  the  din  of  battle  and  so 
possessed  were  the  soldiers  with  the  passion  for  gold 
that  they  heeded  not  his  commands,  but  slaying  the 


288  Rebekah. 

Jews  by  the  thousands,  they  rushed  to  the  Sanctuary 
from  all  directions.  Not  willing  to  give  up  to  the 
fury  of  his  soldiers  without  making  another  effort  to 
check  them,  Titus  now  caused  two  of  those  near  him 
to  beat  the  others  back  with  clubs ;  but  this  also 
failed.  His  desire  to  spare  the  Holy  House  itself  was 
increased  by  the  sight  of  the  indescribably  beautiful 
interior  of  the  outer  shrine  ;  but  he  felt  that  to  save 
it  was  no  longer  possible.  Indeed  while  he  was  try 
ing  to  restrain  his  men,  some  one  threw  a  fire-brand 
inside  and  set  it  on  fire,  and  as  he  saw  the  flames 
reaching  up  to  the  ceiling,  he  and  his  commanders 
retired  from  the  scene. 

Rebekah's  excitement  now  reached  its  climax,  for 
as  she  beheld  the  fire  bursting  out  through  the  roof 
of  the  sacred  edifice,  she  cried, 

"  The  God  of  Israel  protect  us  ! — the  Holy  House 
itself  is  a  furnace  of  fire  now ! — the  flames  reach  the 
sky — the  priests  pluck  the  gilded  spikes  from  the 
roof  and  hurl  them  at  the  plunderers  of  God's  house, 
but  heaven  fights  against  them. — Oh  God!  two  of 
them  cast  themselves  into  the  burning  ruins,  and 
others  are  driven  by  the  flames  to  the  wall." 

At  this  juncture  a  terrible  shriek,  closely  followed 
by  a  fall,  startled  her,  and  looking  to  the  floor  she  was 
horrified  to  see  the  ghastly  form  of  her  aunt  lying  at 
her  feet !  Rebekah  had  been  so  wrapped  up  in  what 
she  saw  that  she  had  not  heard  her  leave  the  bed,  nor 
was  she  aware  of  her  being  at  her  side  until  she 
shrieked.  For  a  moment  she  was  too  frightened  and 
bewildered  to  know  what  to  do  ;  then  kneelingbeside 
her  aunt  she  addressed  her  in  the  most  endearing 
terms,  but  received  no  answer.  Martha  was  dead  ! 
Realizing  this  fact,  our  heroine  ran  in  terror  to  the 
house-top,  where  she  found  her  father  and  the  servants 
sorrowfully  watching  the  progress  of  destruction. 

"  Ah !  my  daughter,  this  is  a  most  fearful  day," 
said  Herodion  as  Rebekah  approached  him,  mistaking 
the  cause  of  her  terrified  look.  "  The  evil  which  we 
have  so  long  feared  has  at  last  overtaken  us." 


The  Abomination  of  Desolation.  289 

"  Would  to  God  that  that  were  the  only  evil  come 
upon  us,"  said  his  daughter,  bursting  into  tears. 

"  Has  aught  else  befallen  us,  Rebekah?"  said  Her- 
odion,  greatly  alarmed.  "  Speak !  in  God's  name 
speak  ! " 

"  My  aunt  is — is  dead,"  sobbed  Rebekah. 

"  Merciful  God  !  "  exclaimed  her  father,  while  the 
servants  gave  an  awful  wail. 

Then  they  all  rushed  to  the  sick-room,  and  for  a 
season  forgot  the  horrible  scenes  they  had  witnessed, 
in  their  deep  sorrow  for  Martha. 

"  Ah  !  "  said  Herodion,  viewing  the  face  of  his  dead 
sister  after  he  had  helped  to  place  her  on  the  bed  she 
had  so  rashly  left.  "  Even  hadst  thou  not  been 
carried  away  by  excitement,  my  daughter,  thou 
couldst  never  have  prevented  her  rashness.  I  should 
have  been  here  to  aid  thee." 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

THE  ABOMINATION   OF  DESOLATION. 

"  WHERE  art  thou  going,  my  Priscus  ?  " 

"  To  the  Temple,  or  rather  to  the  place  where  that 
magnificent  pile  once  stood." 

"  What !  thou  hast  not  been  seized  with  the  madness 
which  substitutes  the  worship  of  the  ensigns  for  the 
worship  of  the  true  God !  Remember,  O  centurion, 
that  the  God  of  the  Jews  has  not  been  destroyed  with 
his  Temple." 

"  Be  not  alarmed,  my  Pedanius ;  I  am  attracted  to 
that  once  sacred  area  far  less  by  the  fact  that  our  be 
nighted  fellow-countrymen  are  now  paying  divine 
honors  to  our  ensigns  there,  than  by  a  desire  to  see 
the  ruins  of  the  Holy  House." 

"  Then  I  will  go  with  thee." 

As  this  conversation  indicates,  the  Saviour's  pre 
diction  concerning  the  Temple  had  at  last  been  ful 
filled.  All  that  now  remained  of  that  once  most 
glorious  and  magnificent  edifice  was  the  outer  walls 


290  Eebekah. 

and  two  of  the  gates  of  the  inner  court,  and  it  was 
upon  these  that  the  Roman  ensigns  now  stood. 

As  Priscus  and  Pedanius  wended  their  way  from 
the  camp  to  the  Temple,  they  described  to  each  other 
how  the  sword  and  the  flames  had  fed  upon  human 
life  and  architectural  grandeur ;  how  the  pavements  of 
the  various  courts  had  been  covered  with  heaps  of 
dead  bodies ;  how  the  treasury  chambers,  with  a  vast 
amount  of  treasures,  had  shared  the  fate  of  the  Sanct 
uary  and  other  sacred  edifices  ;  and  how  the  roar  of 
the  flames,  together  with  the  shouts  of  the  combat 
ants  and  the  groans  of  the  dying  and  of  the  sorrowing 
multitudes,  had  seemed  as  if  they  would  rend  the 
hearts  of  the  very  rocks  surrounding  the  city.  As 
the  Jews  were  still  wailing  at  the  destruction  of  the 
Temple,  Pedanius  remarked  on  reaching  the  outer 
court, 

st  I  scarcely  know  which  is  most  revolting,  those 
unearthly  cries  or  that  heathen  rite." 

"  The  miserable  wretches !  oceans  of  tears  can  not 
help  them  now,  seeing  that  their  much  boasted  and 
revered  Temple  is  a  heap  of  ruins,"  said  Priscus. 
"  Had  they  been  less  devoted  to  their  traditions  and 
more  fond  of  wisdom,  they  might  have  spared  them 
selves  the  terrible  humiliation  of  witnessing  this 
abominable  worship  in  the  Temple  of  the  true  God." 

"  True,  and  the  ten  thousand  victims  that  lay  in 
these  courts  a  few  hours  ago  might  now  be  enjoy 
ing  life  and  prosperity  instead  of  being  devoured  by 
jackals  and  vultures  in  that  valley,  had  the  nation 
listened  to  the  teachings  of  Christ  instead  of  harden 
ing  their  hearts  against  him." 

A  youthful  voice  here  interrupted  the  conversa 
tion,  and  turning  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  Pris 
cus  saw  a  boy  standing  on  the  wall  with  a  water  ves 
sel  in  his  hand.  He  looked  very  pale  and  emaciated, 
and  exclaimed  in  a  touching  voice, 

"  Sirs,  I  am  dying  of  thirst ;  will  ye  not  give  me  the 
security  of  your  right  hand  that  I  might  with  safety 
coine  down  and  get  some  water  ?  " 


The  Abominaticn  of  Desolation.  291 

"  Ay,  come  down ;  we  will  do  thee  no  harm,"  said 
Priscus. 

The  boy  obeyed,  and  received  the  desired  pledge, 
while  the  centurion  added, 

"  Thou  hast  acted  wisely,  my  son,  in  seeking  mercy 
when  it  is  to  be  found.  Thy  companions  in  distress 
would  do  well  to  follow  thy  example.  Are  there 
many  in  the  secret  chambers  ?  " 

"  There  are  at  least  as  many  as  there  were  saved  in 
the  ark,"  was  the  evasive  reply. 

"  And  like  Noah,  I  suppose,"  said  Priscus,  "  they 
realize  that  there  is  more  water  outside  their  place  of 
refuge  than  inside." 

The  boy  laughed,  saying  to  himself, 

44  And  like  Noah  they  have  sent  a  dove  in  quest  of 
means  to  quench  their  thirst,  only  in  this  case  water 
and  not  information  is  desired."  Aloud  he  said,  "  Ay, 
my  lord,  and  likewise  thy  servant.  Hence  thou  wilt 
pardon  me  if  1  be  more  anxious  to  wet  my  throat 
than  to  wag  my  tongue." 

"  I  will  detain  thee  no  longer,  then,"  was  the  reply. 
"  Go,  and  have  thy  desire ;  but  let  not  thy  greed 
swallow  the  fountain  with  the  water." 

Thy  servant  is  neither  a  behemoth  nor  a  leviathan," 
said  the  lad,  as  he  hastened  to  a  fountain  in  the  Court 
of  the  Priests.  "  Yet  I  feel  as  though  I  could  drink 
up  a  river  or  swallow  the  Sea  of  Galilee." 

"  It  is  a  pity,"  said  Priscus,  addressing  his  com 
panion,  "  that  one  so  young  and  so  bright  should  be 
subjected  to  such  severe  sufferings." 

"  And  yet  his  sufferings  seem  to  have  made  him 
wiser,  else  he  would  not  have  ventured  forth  from  his 
concealment,"  replied  Pedanius,  looking  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  fountain. 

Meanwhile  the  boy  satisfied  his  thirst,  and  return 
ing  to  the  two  soldiers  with  his  vessel  filled,  he  said, 
smacking  his  lips, 

"  Were  I  a  Roman  I  would  say  that  that  water  sur 
passes  the  nectar  of  the  gods ;  but  being  a  Jew  I  will 


292  Rebekah. 

say  that  it  tastes  better  than  spiced  wine  of  the  juice 
of  pomegranate." 

"  Thou  speakest  like  a  patriarch,  but  thy  stature 
belies  thy  tongue,"  remarked  Priscus.  "How  old  art 
thou?" 

"  I  am  not  as  old  as  our  father  Abraham  was  when 
he  died,  nor  as  young  as  Moses  when  he  was  hid  in 
the  bulrushes.  But  will  my  lord  tell  me  who  that 
officer  is  ?  " 

The  centurion  and  his  companion  looked  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  eastern  gate,  and  as  they  did  so  the  boy 
bounded  away  towards  the  wall  as  fast  as  his  feet 
could  carry  him.  A  hot  pursuit  followed,  but  he 
reached  the  spot  he  had  just  left  in  safety. 

"  Ha,  ha ! "  said  he,  waving  his  hands,  "  the  spar 
row  has  outflown  the  eagle." 

"  It  is  well  for  thee  that  thou  hast  slipped  out  of 
my  grasp ;  otherwise  I  would  give  thy  perfidy  its  full 
measure  of  punishment,"  said  Priscus,  a  little  net 
tled. 

"  Sir,  I  have  kept  my  agreement,"  said  the  boy. 
"  I  asked  not  for  security  that  I  might  desert  from 
my  friends,  but  that  I  might  come  down  and  get  some 
water." 

"  Thou  art  a  cunning  knave,"  was  the  reply.  "  But 
beware  lest  thy  wits  lead  thee  into  trouble.  Thou 
mayest  not  fare  so  well  if  the  eagle  again  finds  thee 
in  its  clutches." 

The  boy  now  disappeared,  and  Priscus  and  Pedanius 
directed  their  steps  towards  the  tower  of  Antonia, 
laug]  ling  heartily  at  the  fact  that  a  mere  boy  had  out 
witted  them.  Soon  after  the  heathen  worship  was 
brought  to  a  close,  and  the  Temple  was  deserted  by 
all  except  the  guards. 

On  returning  to  the  camp  Priscus  applied  himself 
to  the  agreeable  task  of  writing  a  detailed  account  of 
the  destruction  of  the  Temple  to  Rebekah.  He  had 
written  but  a  few  lines,  however,  before  he  received 
orders  to  proceed  with  his  band  immediately  to  the 
Temple  to  relieve  that  portion  of  the  guard  stationed 


The  Abomination  of  Desolation.  293 

in  the  court  of  the  priests.  He  obeyed,  and  after 
giving  a  few  directions  to  the  decurions  he  again 
picked  up  his  writing  materials  only  to  be  again 
interrupted. 

"It  seems  that  I  am  never  to  finish 'this  letter," 
said  he,  muttering  to  himself  ;  then  turning  towards 
the  door  of  his  tent,  he  saw  Publius,  who  temporarily 
acted  as  decurion  in  Marcus's  place,  standing  in  front 
of  two  priests  in  charge  of  ten  men. 

"  Behold  I  bring  thee  two  rains,  O  centurion,  to  be 
offered  to  the  god  of  victory,"  said  Publius  pointing 
to  the  priests.  "  The  want  of  pasture  has  driven 
them  from  the  place  of  refuge  into  which  they  fled 
from  the  wolves." 

This  pleasantry  restored  Priscus  from  the  irritable 
mood  into  which  the  interruption  had  thrown  him, 
and  he  replied  with  a  smile, 

"  Though  I  never  had  a  desire  to  be  a  priest,  yet 
I  had  much  rather  act  the  priest  than  play  the  part 
awaiting  them." 

"  Judging  by  their  appearance,"  continued  Publius, 
"  Thou  art  not  alone  in  thy  preference.  Leading 
rams  to  the  slaughter  were  doubtless  far  more  agree 
able  to  them  than  to  exchange  places  with  their 
victims." 

These  words  were  lost  on  the  priests,  for  they  could 
not  understand  Latin.  They  surmised,  however, 
that  their  captors  were  entertained  at  their  expense. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances  they  would  have  re 
sented  these  jests  ;  but  having  been  forced  by  hunger 
to  leave  the  hiding-place  into  which  they  had  fled 
during  the  final  attack  upon  the  Temple,  they  made 
signs  that  they  desired  something  to  eat  instead. 
This  Priscus  commanded  to  be  given  to  them  at 
once.  He  also  commanded  that  they  be  placed  in 
confinement  until  he  should  learn  Titus's  will  con 
cerning  them.  Many  others  were  brought  before 
him  during  the  next  day,  all  of  whom  were  sent  to 
prison. 

"  How  many  more  days  dost  thou  want  to  finish 


294  Mebekah. 

that  letter,  my  Priscus  ?  "  said  Publius  as  he  led  the 
fourth  group  of  prisoners  away. 

"  I  shall  need  eternity  to  finish  it  if  thou  continue 
to  interrupt  me,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Ha,  ha,  then  thou  must  take  it  good-naturedly, 
for  I  shall  continue  to  interrupt  thee  as  long  as  any 
of  these  accursed  '  white  robes '  are  left  to  be  capt 
ured." 

"  Give  me  but  five  minutes  more,"  said  Priscus  as 
he  resumed  his  writing,  "and  thou  mayest  bring  ten 
thousand  priests  before  me,  if  thou  wilt." 

It  was  well  for  him  that  he  could  not  foresee  that 
the  letter  would  fall  into  hostile  hands.  As  it  was,  he 
sealed  it  with  much  satisfaction,  and  while  a  messen 
ger  bore  it  towards  the  southern  wall  he  took  a 
stroll  among  the  ruins  of  Solomon's  Porch.  As  he 
contemplated  his  surroundings  he  seemed  to  feel 
some  of  the  inspiration  of  the  holy  men,  and  espe 
cially  of  Christ,  who  had  seen  that  masterpiece  of  art 
in  all  its  glory,  and  had  been  teaching  the  multitudes 
under  its  high,  massive,  and  beautifully  carved  roof. 
How  long  his  reverie  lasted  he  could  not  tell ;  but 
we  can  imagine  his  feelings  when  he  was  aroused 
from  it  by  an  order  from  Titus  to  put  all  the  priests 
under  his  charge  to  death  before  sunset.  Although 
he  was  not  in  love  with  the  prieste,  he  hated  the  dis 
agreeable  duty  now  assigned  to  him.  He  saw  that 
he  must  obey,  however,  and  hastened  to  carry  out 
the  order. 

The  execution  of  the  priests  was  closely  followed 
by  a  peaceful  attempt  on  the  part  of  Titus  to  prevent 
further  destruction  by  the  surrender  of  the  city;  but 
this,  like  all  previous  attempts,  proving  futile,  he  or 
dered  all  those  buildings  which  his  clemency  had  until 
now  preserved  to  be  completely  destnjyed.  Priscus  and 
his  band  were  relieved  from  their  post  in  the  Temple 
in  time  to  engage  in  this  work,  which  to  the  Romans 
was  so  agreeable,  but  to  the  Jews  painful  in  the 
extreme.  After  the  conflagration  had  ceased  Priscus 
paid  Marcus  another  visit  in  the  hospital. 


The  Abomination  of  Desolation.  295 

"  Didst  them  hear  Caesar's  speech  ?  "  asked  Marcus. 

"  Ay,"  was  the  reply ;  "  it  was  the  best  I  ever  heard 
Even  the  seditious  were  somewhat  moved  by  it.  Yet 
when  he  had  finished  speaking  they  had  the  audacity 
to  propose  their  own  terms,  as  though  they  were  the 
conquerors  instead  of  Caesar  !  " 

"  The  presumptuous  miscreants  !  their  audacity  is 
equalled  only  by  their  madness.  Dost  thou  remember 
their  proposition  ?  " 

"  They  said  that  since  they  could  not  comply 
with  Caesar's  terms  without  violating  the  oath  they 
had  made  never  to  give  up  the  city,  they  desired  to 
have  the  privilege  of  passing  through  the  Roman  wall 
with  their  wives  and  children  that  they  might  go  to 
the  desert ! " 

"  Hercle  !  it  is  no  wonder  that  Caesar  was  seized 
with  indignation  and  gave  orders  to  destroy  those 
parts  in  our  possession.  He  has  already  been  far 
more  lenient  towards  them  than  T  would  have  been 
had  I  been  in  his  place.  When  I  saw  the  fire  spread 
my  only  regret  was  that  I  could  not  have  a  share  in 
the  sport.  Didst  thou  secure  much  plunder  ?  " 

"  No  ;  the  seditious,  as  thou  knowest,  had  carried 
away  all  their  effects  before  we  drove  them  into  the 
Upper  City.  Had  the  houses  been  as  full  of  treasures 
as  they  were  of  dead  bodies  I  would  have  been 
another  Croesus." 

"  Miserabile  !  yet  Fortune  has  not  entirely  forsaken 
thee.  The  Temple  afforded  thee  a  good  share  of 
plunder,  and  if  I  mistake  not  thou  shalt  find  a  rich 
mine  when  the  Upper  City  falls  into  our  hands.  Be 
not  flattered ;  I  was  not  thinking  of  the  priceless 
treasure  thou  hast  there  then;  but  of  the  immense 
quantity  of  gold,  silver,  and  precious  stones  that  the 
robbers  have  accumulated  there.  These  I  esteem  of 
greater  value  than  all  the  pretty  Jewesses  in  the 
city;  but  I  know  some — Julius  Priscus,  the  cen 
turion,  for  instance — who  would  not  take  all  the 
wealth  in  the  world  even  for  one  smile  or  kiss  from  a 
certain  daughter  of  Abraham.  Ha,  ha,  it  is  fortunate 


296  RebeTcaL 

that  we  are  not  all  cast  in  the  same  mold,  for  if  we 
loved  the  same  objects  peace  would  soon  die  an  out 
cast,  and  happiness  would  be  banished  from  the 
world." 

"  Hui !  who  would  have  thought  that  Marcus  the 
decurion  would  ever  become  a  philosopher  ! "  said 
Priscus,  laughing.  "  Surely  Cains  the  surgeon  must 
have  treated  thee  to  something  besides  salve  or 
plaster." 

"  Perpol !  I  have  given  thee  scarcely  a  glimpse  of 
my  philosophy  yet.  Were  I  not  anxious  to  hear 
more  news  I  would  overwhelm  thy  brain  with  a  flood 
of  sucli  ideas  as  have  never  entered  thy  head.  But 
go  on.  What  have  the  seditious  been  doing  lately 
besides  trying  to  bake  some  of  the  citizens  alive  in 
their  houses  ?  " 

"  Some  of  them  have  been  lying  in  ambush  in  the 
ruins  in  order  to  cut  the  throats  of  those  deserting  to 
us ;  others  have  broken  into  Herod's  palace,  driving 
away  such  of  our  men  as  had  forced  their  way  there 
across  the  bridge,  and  slaying  the  eight  thousand  who 
had  sought  the  protection  of  its  strong  walls,  that 
they  might  gain  possession  of  their  treasures." 

"  The  monstrous  villains !  how  I  would  like  to 
have  them  in  my  power  for  one  hour  !  But  knowest 
thou  aught  of  the  horseman  who  escaped  from  them 
yesterday  ?  " 

"  Ay ;  he  and  one  of  the  foot  soldiers  were  caught 
as  their  companions  escaped,  and  were  condemned  to 
die.  The  foot  soldier  was  immediately  executed  and 
dragged  through  the  streets.  The  horseman,  pre 
tending  that  he  had  something  important  to  com 
municate  to  Simon,  was  brought  before  the  tyrant; 
but  his  pretension  proved  a  failure,  and  he  was 
delivered  to  one  of  the  commanders  to  be  put  to 
death.  This  man,  in  order  to  taunt  our  army,  caused 
him  to  be  blindfolded  and  bound,  and  led  to  the  west 
end  of  the  bridge.  But  when  the  executioner  drew 
his  sword  to  behead  him,  he  bounded  away  from  him 
and  ran  across  the  bridge  to  the  Temple,  while  a  joy- 


A  Final  Attempt.  297 

fill  shout  went  forth  from  the  guards  at  the  look  of 
astonishment  and  humiliation  on  the  faces  of  the 
Jews." 

"Ha,  ha,  good!  excellent,"  cried  Marcus.  Then 
he  added  in  a  graver  mood,  "  He  saved  his  neck  but 
not  his  honor.  The  fool  should  never  have  permitted 
the  enemy  to  take  him  alive." 

"  True,"  said  Priscus ;  "  and  for  that  reason  he  has 
been  ejected  from  the  army,  which  as  thou  knowest, 
we  all  consider  worse  than  capital  punishment.  " 

The  subject  was  now  dropped,  and  the  conversa 
tion  turned  upon  other  matters.  When  shortly  after 
the  friends  parted,  Priscus  went  away  delighted  with 
the  prospect  of  Marcus's  speedy  return  to  his  duties. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

A  FINAL  ATTEMPT. 

WE  must  now  return  to  Merto's  house,  where  we 
left  Herodion  and  Rebekah  together  with  the  servants 
lamenting  the  death  of  Martha.  They  had  not  been 
long  in  the  presence  of  the  dead  ere  they  were  joined 
by  Judas,  who  in  the  meantime  had  escaped  from  the 
Temple  with  the  rest  of  the  seditious.  He  heard  the 
sound  of  mourning  as  he  entered  the  house ;  but  it 
was  not  until  he  reached  the  bed  upon  which  the 
mortal  remains  of  his  mother  lay  that  he  learned  the 
cause  of  it.  He  had  more  than  once  during  the  con 
flict  in  the  Temple  despaired  of  leaving  it  alive  ;  but 
he  had  had  not  the  remotest  idea  of  what  he  now  saw. 
At  first  he  stood  as  if  he  were  turned  to  stone  ;  then 
he  threw  himself  upon  the  bed,  frantic  with  sorrow, 
and  giving  vent  to  the  most  bitter  wails.  When  the 
first  outburst  of  his  sorrow  was  over,  he  arose,  and 
gazing  at  his  mother's  face,  he  cried  : 

"  O  mother,  mother !  why  hast  thou  left  me  at  this 
hour?  I  came  to  seek  comfort  and  I  have  found 
sorrow.  My  sun  has  set  at  noon-day ;  darkness  has 


298  fiebekah. 

compassed  me  about.  I  fled  from  the  midst  of  death 
and  destruction,  expecting  to  find  life  and  consola 
tion  ;  but  behold  the  king  of  terrors  has  preceded  me  ! 
O  mother,  mother  !  would  that  I  had  died  with  thee  ! 
Life  is  worse  than  death  without  thee.  Thou  wast 
to  me  as  a  spring  in  the  desert,  and  as  a  glimpse  of 
sunshine  on  a  cloudy  day.  Thy  love  for  me  was  a 
fathomless  sea ;  thy  sympathy,  a  heavenly  paradise. 
All !  my  grief  is  greater  than  I  can  bear ;  my  tears  are 
bitterer  than  wormwood." 

These  words  touched  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard 
them,  especially  Rebekah  and  her  father,  and  they 
did  all  they  could  to  relieve  his  sorrow.  As  it  was 
customary  among  the  Jews  to  bury  the  dead  as  soon 
as  possible  after  death,  the  corpse  was  now  wrapped 
in  several  folds  of  fine  linen  with  sweet  spices,  and 
soon  after  was  interred  in  the  cistern  with  Merto  and 
the  porter,  since  no  other  bury  ing-place  was  available. 

As  we  have  shown,  Judas  was  greatly  affected  by 
the  sudden  death  of  his  mother,  and  he  labored  under 
a  deep  sense  of  loneliness  during  the  days  that  fol 
lowed.  The  loss  of  his  mother,  however,  did  not 
cause  him  to  discontinue  his  short  visits  home,  for 
there  was  one  great  attraction  still  left  for  him  in  the 
person  of  Rebekah.  His  cousin  regarded  these  visits 
as  a  great  affliction  ;  yet  she  could  not  always  avoid 
them  since  they  were  very  irregular.  It  became 
evident  also  as  the  days  went  by  that  he  was  more 
determined  than  ever  to  have  things  his  own  way. 
He  had  told  her  that  he  would  conquer  her  will  before 
the  close  of  the  siege,  and  nothing  but  death  could 
make  him  give  up  his  purpose.  An  attempt  on  the 
part  of  the  Idumeans  to  desert  to  the  Romans,  to 
gether  with  the  activity  of  the  latter  in  raising  several 
banks,  both  at  the  Xystus  and  on  the  west  side  of  the 
city  opposite  Herod's  palace,  drove  him  to  the  execu 
tion  of  a  scheme  that  he  had  had  in  mind  ever  since 
the  death  of  his  father.  This  scheme  was  to  separate 
father  and  daughter  by  confining  the  former  in  the 
tower  of  Mariamne.  He  thought  that  this  would  help 


A  Final  Attempt.  299 

him  in  the  subjection  of  Rebekah's  will,  or  if  he 
should  fail  in  gaining  her  consent,  that  it  would  make 
it  easier  for  him  to  force  her  to  accompany  him  to 
one  of  the  caverns  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city 
when  flight  became  necessary.  Although  Rebekah 
feared  that  some  evil  was  about  to  overtake  her,  she 
had  no  suspicion  of  Judas's  wicked  scheme  until  the 
long  absence  of  her  father  at  length  awakened  her 
apprehension. 

"  It  is  very  strange,"  said  she,  speaking  to  herself 
as  she  scanned  the  street  from  the  house-top.  "  He 
said  when  he  went  out  this  morning  that  he  would 
return  in  half  an  hour  with  a  letter  from  Prisons ! 
The  sun  tells  me  that  it  is  now  about  the  sixth  hour 
of  the  day,  and  still  he  has  not  returned !  God  forbid 
that  any  evil  should  have  befallen  him !  " 

Time  went  on  ;  yet  her  father  came  not.  She  was 
now  certain  that  something  had  happened  to  him, 
and  her  anxiety  knew  no  bounds.  She  imagined  all 
sorts  of  horrible  things,  for  only  a  few  days  had 
passed  since  the  slaughter  in  Herod's  palace  and  the 
wanton  destruction  of  some  of  the  buildings  in  the 
neighboring  streets,  v  together  with  their  inhabitants. 
She  was  almost  certain  that  Judas  could  tell  her 
what  had  become  of  her  father ;  hence  she  was  more 
glad  than  sorry  when  a  little  before  sunset  she  heard 
him  ascending  to  the  roof.  She  did  not  wait  for  his 
salutation  before  she  faced  him  and  cried, — 

"  Knowest  thou  aught  of  my  father  ?  In  God's 
name,  tell  me  !  " 

u  I  had  been  void  of  understanding  to  have  lived 
under  the  same  roof  with  him  so  long  without  having 
some  knowledge  of  him,"  said  Judas,  with  a  forced 
smile  as  he  stood  before  her. 

"  Trifle  not  with  my  question,"  continued  Rebekah ; 
"  hast  thou  seen  my  father  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  saw  him  this  morning  ;  but  there  was  nothing 
unusual  in  his  appearance." 

"Where  was  he,  O  vain  trifler?" 

"  In  the  tower  of  Mariamne." 


300  Rebekah. 

"  In  the  tower  of  Mariamne  !  how  came  he  to  be 
there  ?  "  said  Rebekah,  with  terror. 

"  He  came  not  alone  ;  nor  has  he  yet  departed," 
said  Judas,  still  smiling. 

"  Vile  wretch  !  hast  thou  dared  to  imprison  my 
father?  Hast  thou,  O  ingrate,  forgotten  his  kind 
ness,  and  that  he  is  thy  mother's  brother  ?  " 

"  I  have  forgotten  nothing,  fair  witch  of  Endor ; 
and  it  is  that  thou  mightest  call  to  mind  what  I  have 
repeatedly  told  thee  that  I  have  honored  thy  father 
with  lodging  in  the  tower.  Rebekah,  thou  must 
become  my  wife  !  " 

"  Thy  wife  ?  The  wife  of  him  who  scruples  not  to 
sacrifice  the  liberty  of  my  guiltless  father  on  the 
altar  of  an  ungovernable  passion  ?  Never !  I  had 
rather  marry  the  arch-tempter  of  men." 

"  Rebekah,  thou  art  beside  thyself,  else  thou 
wouldst  not  so  madly  speak.  Thou  art  in  my  power, 
and  by  the  hosts  of  heaven,  thou  shalt  have  neither 
peace  nor  freedom  until  thou  art  completely  sub- 
dued." 

"Canst  thou,  O  tyrant,  turn  the  sun  from  his 
course?  Canst'  thou  rein  the  flood,  or  lead  the  wind 
where  thou  wilt?  Then  talk  not  of  compelling  a 
woman  to  love  him  whom  she  despises,  or  marry  him 
whom  she  abhors." 

"  I  will  not  argue  with  thee  at  present,  O  proud 
daughter  of  Herodion,  concerning  the  extent  of  my 
power ;  I  will  wait  till  thou  art  in  a  more  favorable 
mood.  Before  I  take  leave  of  thee,  however,  I  will 
taste  tho  honey  of  thy  lips !  " 

As  he  made  a  movement  towards  her  she  retreated 
a  few  steps  and  exclaimed, 

"  Stand  back,  villain,  stand  back !  I  had  rather 
have  a  serpent  touch  my  lips  than  thee  !  " 

Then  watching  her  opportunity  she  ran  by  him 
with  the  agility  of  a  deer,  and  descending  into  the 
house,  closely  pursued  by  Judas,  she  slammed  the 
door  of  the  inner  room  in  his  face  and  bolted  it.  This 
threw  the  pursuer  into  a  rage ;  but  Rebekah  cared 


A  Final  Attempt.  301 

little  for  his  anger  now.  Yet  she  experienced  a  great 
sense  of  relief  when  shortly  after  she  heard  his  retreat 
ing  steps.  The  sound  of  his  feet  had  hardly  died 
away,  however,  ere  she  began  to  realize  her  lonely 
and  straitened  condition,  and  throwing  herself  upon 
a  divan  she  shed  many  bitter  tears.  She  thought  of 
the  unjust  imprisonment  of  her  father  and  of  Judas's 
threats,  and  covered  her  face  witli  her  hands  in  utter 
bewilderment.  That  her  tyrannical  cousin  would  re 
peat  his  unwelcome  visits  she  well  knew.  How  could 
she  shun  him? 

"  Ah  !  I  have  it  at  last,"  said  she  to  herself.  "  I 
will  stay  in  this  room  until  the  city  is  taken,  which 
will  not  be  long  now.  My  beloved  knows  where  to 
seek  me,  and  he  will  come  as  soon  as  the  wall  is 
breached.  Meanwhile  Adah  shall  be  eyes  for  me. 
But  what  if  Judas  should  deny  me  my  scanty  portion 
of  food?  Let  him  do  as  he  will ;  I  had  rather  perish 
of  hunger  than  expose  myself  to  his  insults.  But, 
Oh  God,  my  father  is  in  his  power !  Perhaps  he  will 
pour  out  his  revenge  upon  him !  But  no  !  my  father 
is  a  true  follower  of  Christ,  and  the  Lord  will  protect 
him  as  he  did  my  uncle  and  his  companion  in  the 
prison  of  Philippi.  Oh  thou  Judge  and  Avenger  of 
the  oppressed,  deliver  us  from  the  hands  of  the 
ungodly!" 

Greatly  to  her  own  discomfort  and  the  disappoint 
ment  of  Judas,  she  bravely  carried  out  her  resolution. 
Neither  his  threats  nor  the  reduction  of  her  daily  fare 
caused  her  to  yield  a  particle  to  him.  How  her 
bravery  was  rewarded  we  shall  presently  see. 

At  length  her  prospects  brightened.  After  she  had 
been  confined  in  her  room  for  ten  days,  Adah  informed 
her  that  the  banks  were  completed  and  that  the  bat 
tering-rams  were  being  brought  to  attack  the  wall. 
Encouraged  by  this  information  she  bade  the  servant 
return  to  her  post  of  observation  on  the  house-top, 
while  she  stationed  herself  at  the  window  to  listen 
rather  than  to  see,  for  as  the  window  faced  to  the 
south-east  the  scene  of  action  was  completely  hid 


302  Rebekah. 

from  her  view.  As  she  sat  there  she  plainly  heard 
the  tremendous  blows  which  regularly  fell  upon  the 
wall,  and  she  prayed  earnestly  that  God  might  re 
member  the  innocent  and  the  oppressed.  About 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  she  was  startled  by  a 
fearful  crash,  closely  followed  by  shouts  of  joy  and 
wails  of  despair.  Shortly  after  she  heard  a  light, 
familiar  rap,  and  thinking  it  to  be  Adah's  she  imme 
diately  opened  the  door,  only,  to  find  herself  in  the 
iron  grasp  of  Judas.  He  and  the  rest  of  the  seditious 
had  left  their  quarters  as  soon  as  the  wall  was  breached, 
and  had  fled  in  different  directions,  some  trying  to 
force  their  way  beyond  the  Roman  wall,  others  seek 
ing  their  treasures  that  they  might  hide  them  with 
themselves  in  the  subterranean  caves,  or  passages. 
Among  the  latter  was  Judas,  who  with  the  co-opera 
tion  of  Adah  was  able  to  surprise  Rebekah  in  the 
manner  just  indicated. 

We  may  imagine  our  heroine's  terror  at  finding 
herself  in  the  hands  of  the  man  she  dreaded  above  all 
human  being;s.  Doubtless  in  the  half-starved  condi 
tion  she  was  in  she  would  have  succumbed  to  it  were 
not  her  indignation  aroused. 

"  Heartless  villain  !  loose  thy  hold  upon  me,  and 
instantly  depart  from  my  room,"  said  she,  struggling 
to  free  herself. 

"Ha,  ha,  hadst  thou  an  army  under  thy  command 
thou  mightest  compel  me  to  obey  thee ;  but  being 
alone  thou  must  obey  me.  Come,  we  must  be  hence  ; 
we  have  no  time  to  waste." 

"  Away  with  thee,  impious  wretch !  Murder  me 
if  thou  wilt;  I  will  never  go  with  thee,"  was  the 
defiant  reply. 

"  Guards,  haste  ye  here  ;  we  have  already  wasted 
too  much  time,"  cried  Judas,  angrily. 

The  command  was  no  sooner  given  than  two  men 
hastened  to  the  room  with  a  litter,  and  binding 
Rebekah  they  placed  her  in  it  and  bore  her  out  of  the 
house  in  an  exhausted  condition.  In  the  court  they 


A  Final  Attempt.  303 

were  joined  by  eight  others  of  Judas 's  men,  together 
with  the  servants. 

"  Let  four  of  you  precede  the  litter  with  me,"  said 
Judas ;  "  and  let  the  servants  and  the  other  four 
follow." 

In  this  order  they  entered  the  passage,  whence 
they  emerged  the  next  moment  to  find  a  small  body 
of  Roman  soldiers  hurrying  towards  them  from  the 
north. 

u  There  he  is  !  there  he  is  !  "  cried  a  voice  which 
Rebekah  had  for  years  longed  to  hear.  "  In  God's 
name  let  us  hasten,  else  the  cruel  wretch  will  slip 
out  of  our  hands  with  my  priceless  treasure !  Oh 
God,  help  us!" 

"  Run !  run !  for  your  life  !  "  cried  Judas,  starting 
away  at  the  head  of  his  party.  Then  addressing 
those  who  bore  the  litter  he  said,  "  Half  my  posses 
sions  to  you,  if  ye  bear  my  cousin  in  safety  to  the 
appointed  place." 

An  exciting  race  now  commenced,  both  pursuers 
and  pursued  doing  their  utmost.  The  latter,  how 
ever,  being  under  a  great  disadvantage  both  on  ac 
count  of  a  lack  of  sufficient  nourishment  and  on  ac 
count  of  the  litter  with  its  burden,  soon  began  to 
realize  that  the  Romans  were  fast  gaining  on  them. 
In  vain  did  Judas  urge  them  forward;  they  could 
run  no  faster.  At  length  the  four  that  were  in  the 
rear  suddenly  left  the  rest  and  tried  to  enter  a  street 
leading  westward  ;  but  only  one  of  them  accomplished 
his  purpose,  the  others  were  pierced  through  by  a 
shower  of  darts.  The  servants  now  formed  the  rear 
of  the  party ;  but  finding  the  enemy  close  upon  them, 
two  of  them  broke  away  and  were  immediately  slain. 
Adah  was  the  only  servant  remaining  now,  and  she 
ran  beside  the  litter  in  time  to  avoid  a  thrust  aimed 
at  her  by  the  foremost  of  the  Romans,  while  Judas 
and  those  with  him  in  front  suddenly  turned  upon 
the  pursuers  in  order  if  possible  to  check  them  and 
give  the  bearers  an  opportunity  to  escape  with  their 
burden  into  a  cave  a  short  distance  in  front  of  them. 


304  EebeJcah. 

Simultaneous  with  this  sudden  movement  a  voice  was 
heard  commanding, — 

"Hasten  with  thy  men  after  the  litter,  my  Marcus; 
we  will  settle  the  destiny  of  these  dogs." 

"As  tliou  wilt,  my  Priscus,"  said  the  decurion, 
obeying  the  command;  "but  I  would  like  to  put  an 
end  to  that  scarred-faced  villain  myself." 

Judas  and  his  few  men  fought  fiercely  and  val 
iantly  ;  but  their  antagonists,  being  stronger  than 
they  both  physically  and  numerically,  soon  proved 
too  much  for  them.  When  Judas  saw  his  men  fall 
one  by  one,  he  ground  his  teeth  with  rage,  and  aim 
ing  a  blow  at  Priscus  he  bounded  by  him,  and  ran 
after  the  litter,  closely  pursued  by  the  centurion  and 
his  men.  Knowing  that  escape  was  now  impossible, 
he  resolved,  to  have  his  revenge  upon  Priscus  by  de 
priving  him  of  his  betrothed.  This  wicked  design 
seemed  to  give  him  supernatural  strength.  As  he 
pressed  forward  he  saw  the  bearers  disappear  without 
the  litter  into  the  cave,  while  Adah  came  flying 
towards  him  with  Marcus  close  behind  her. 

"  Get  thee  out  of  my  way,  wretch,"  cried  the  irate 
Jew  as  she  approached  him. 

"  O  my  lord,  save  me  from  this  blood-thirsty  Ro 
man,"  cried  she,  persisting  in  her  course. 

"  There,  take  that !  "  said  Judas,  cleaving  her  head 
with  his  sword. 

"  And  take  thou  that !  "  said  Marcus,  running  him 
through. 

"  Ten  thousand  curses  be  on  thy  head,"  exclaimed 
Judas,  and  then  expired. 

"  So  thou  hast  had  thy  desire  after  all,  my  Mar 
cus,"  said  Priscus  as  he  and  a  dozen  others  gathered 
around  the  slain. 

The  decurion  laughed,  while  Publius,  who  as  usual 
was  included  in  Priscus's  select  band,  said, 

"  Thou  didst  well,  my  Marcus ;  but  thou  shouldst 
have  given  the  centurion  the  honor  of  killing  this 
dog." 


A  Final  Attempt,  305 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

AFTER   SORROW   COMES  JOY. 

BEING  anxious  to  see  the  object  of  his  love,  Priscus 
stood  but  a  moment  over  the  dead  bodies  of  Judas 
and  Adah  ;  then  he  hastened,  accompanied  by  Marcus, 
to  the  spot  where  the  litter  lay,  and  found  Rebekah 
in  a  swoon,  while  two  of  the  soldiers  were  trying  to 
restore  her  to  consciousness.  Not  wishing  to  make  a 
spectacle  of  himself,  and  desiring  to  remove  his  be 
trothed  from  the  curious  gaze  of  his  men,  he  and 
Marcus  carried  her  immediately  to  one  of  the  lewens 
of  a  house  standing  at  the  edge  of  a  precipice  over 
looking  the  Valley  of  the  Cheesemongers,  while  the 
rest  of  the  band  stationed  themselves  at  the  passage 
leading  into  the  court.  The  severe  experiences 
through  which  Rebekah  had  passed  since  her  resi 
dence  at  Jerusalem  had  wrought  a  great  change  in  her 
looks.  She  was  still  beautiful;  but-  appeared  older 
than  she  really  was.  Priscus  had  pictured  her  during 
the  four  years  of  their  separation  as  he  saw  her  on 
the  evening  when  she  and  her  father  escaped  from 
Csesarea ;  hence  the  first  glance  at  her  pale,  emaciated 
face  startled  him.  Upon  reaching  the  lewen  he  sent 
Marcus  in  quest  of  water,  and  finding  himself  alone 
with  his  loved  one,  he  bent  over  her  and  kissed  her 
passionately  while  his  tears  fell  in  large  drops  on  her 
cheeks.  His  heart  was  too  full  for  utterance ;  but 
he  mentally  thanked  God  for  permitting'  them  to 
meet  again  after  all  the  suffering  and  dangers  they 
had  passed  through,  and  invoked  his  further  help  and 
protection.  Presently  Rebekah  opened  her  eyes,  and 
recognizing  her  lover  she  uttered  a  cry  of  joy  and 
threw  her  arms  around  his  neck.  For  a  moment  they 
embraced  each  other  in  silence  ;  neither  of  them  being 
able  to  speak.  Rebekah  was  the  first  to  find  utter 
ance. 

"  Ah !  then  it  is  not  a  dream ;  nor  do  my  eyes  de- 
peive  me."  said  she.  "Thou  art  indeed  my  beloved ! " 


306  Rebekah. 

"  I  am,  O  light  of  my  life ;  and  God  be  thanked 
that  I  see  thee  again  alive." 

"  He  is  very  good  to  us !  Truly  can  we  say  that 
his  mercy  endureth  forever !  But  where  are  we  ? 
How  came  we  here  ?  It  all  seems  so  strange  !  " 

Prise  us  explained  to  her  all  that  had  lately  hap 
pened,  and  then  learned  to  what  trials  she  had  been 
subjected  since  she  last  wrote  to  him. 

Meanwhile  Marcus,  having  found  that  Rebekah 
had  been  restored  to  consciousness,  and  knowing  that 
the  presence  of  a  third  party  would  be  obnoxious  to 
the  lovers  while  their  ecstasy  at  meeting  each  other 
again  lasted,  entered  the  house,  seeking  for  plunder. 
Finding  nothing  but  dead  bodies,  the  stench  of  which 
filled  every  room,  he  at  length  returned  to  the  lewen, 
and  seeing  Priscus  sitting  beside  Rebekah  on  a  dilap 
idated  divan,  he  laughingly  remarked, 

tk  By  Castor,  my  Priscus,  though  thy  throne  be 
much,  the  worse  for  wear  none  of  the  Caesars  ever 
appeared  half  as  happy  as  thou,  or  sat  beside  a  hap 
pier  beauty  !  Perpol  !  had  I  not  set  my  heart  upon 
securing  other  treasures,  I  would  be  in  a  fair  condi 
tion  to  envy  thee." 

"  Ah,  I  understand  thy  hint,  my  Marcus,"  said  the 
centurion.  "  Thou  desirest  us  to  descend  from  the 
throne  of  happiness  that  thou  mightest  get  thy  share 
of  the  spoils !  Be  it  so,  then ;  and  while  thou  art 
enriching  thyself  we  will  hence  to  the  tower  of  Ma- 
riamne,  where  Rebekah's  father  is  imprisoned." 

Having  said  this  he  introduced  the  decurion  to  his 
betrothed,  and  a  little  later  two  of  the  soldiers,  accom 
panied  by  Priscus,  carried  Rebekah  in  the  litter  in  the 
direction  of  the  lower  city,  while  the  rest  of  the  band, 
led  by  Marcus  went  to  seek  for  spoils.  The  streets 
were  now  everywhere  filled  with  the  slain,  and  with 
Roman  soldiers  in  quest  of  plunder.  All  the  houses 
into  which  the  Jews  had  fled  and  many  of  the  others 
were  already  in  flames.  Thinking  it  best  for  Rebekah 
to  see  as  little  as  possible  of  these  horrible  scenes, 
Priscus  induced  her  to  cover  her  face  with  a  thick 


A  Final  Attempt.  307 

veil  before  they  left  the  lewen ;  and  fearing  lest  the 
boisterous  and  insolent  crowds  through  which  they 
passed  should  terrify  her,  he  often  whispered  in  her 
ear  not  to  be  alarmed.  At  last  they  reached  the  tower 
of  Mariamne,  and  to  their  surprise  they  found  the 
strong  gate  leading  into  it  wide  open.  Entering  this 
gate  they  ascended  a  broad  stairway  to  a  large  room 
richly  furnished,  and  while  Priscus  helped  Rebekah 
to  a  seat,  Titus  with  two  of  his  commanders  entered 
from  another  room. 

"  What !  thou  here,  Priscus  !  "  said  the  general 
lifting  his  brows.  Then  he  added,  "  and  this  lady, 
who  is  she?  By  the  girdle  of  Venus,  there  is  no 
telling  what  some  men  will  do  when  left  to  them 
selves  ! " 

"  This  lady,  my  lord,  is  a  native  of  Rome,  and 
though  a  daughter  of  Abraham,  loves  our  nation.  I 
have  brought  her  here  because  she  wishes  to  have  her 
father,  who  is  unjustly  confined  in  one  of  the  rooms  of 
this  tower,  released." 

Turning  to  his  commanders  Titus  said, 

"  That  prisoner  then  spoke  the  truth."  Then  as 
they  nodded  their  assent,  he  looked  at  Priscus  and 
continued, — 

"  Her  father  is  not  here  ;  he  was  released  a  short 
time  ago  with  other  prisoners  and  was  taken  to  the 
camp.  Fortunately  for  us  and  for  the  prisoners  as 
well,  God  ejected  the  seditious  from  this  and  the 
other  strong  towers  when  the  wall  fell,  and  thus  we 
have  gained  possession  of  what  we  could  never  take 
even  with  our  strongest  machines."  Here  he  beck 
oned  the  centurion  aside,  and  added  in  an  undertone, 
"  If  what  the  prisoner  said  be  true,  this  lady  is  thy 
betrothed." 

"  He  has  told  you  the  truth,  my  lord,"  was  the 
reply. 

"That  being  the  case  thou  hadst  better  let  her 
remain  in  one  of  these  rooms  until  we  leave  the  city. 
Her  father  also  shall  remain  here,  and  thou  hadst 
better  send  these  two  men  to  bring  him  with  the 


308  RebeJcah. 

necessary  supplies  here  immediately.  If  I  mistake 
not,  the  lady  needs  nourishment  as  much  as  her  father's 
presence." 

"  May  God  bless  you,  my  lord,  for  your  kindness," 
said  Prise  us  warmly. 

Titus  and  his  commanders  now  left  the  tower,  as 
did  also  the  two  privates ;  and  Rebekah,  finding  herself 
alone  with  the  centurion,  took  off  her  veil  and  said, 

"  Who  was  that  noble  looking  officer  that  spoke  to 
thee,  my  beloved  ?  " 

"  That  was  Csesar,  and  those  with  him  were  Tibe 
rius  Alexander,  who  is  next  to  him  in  command,  and 
Sextus  Cerealis,  the  commander  of  our  legion." 

"  Ah  !  I  thought  it  was  Caesar.  And  he  is  person 
ally  acquainted  with  thee  !  " 

"  Ay  ;  I  have  fought  beside  him  a  few  times,  and 
he  has  entrusted  me  more  than  once  with  the  execu 
tion  of  difficult  and  dangerous  schemes.  I  would  lay 
down  my  life  for  him.  All  the  soldiers  love  him  as 
children  do  an  indulgent  father.  Thou  sawest  him 
taking  me  aside,  my  love  ?  " 

"  There  is  little  I  do  not  see,  where  thou  art  inter 
ested,  O  Priscus." 

"  Then  listen  :  he  said  that  thou  and  thy  father  are 
to  remain  in  this  tower  until  the  army  is  ready  to 
depart." 

"  May  the  Lord  enrich  his  soul !  I  have  often  heard 
of  his  kindness ;  now  I  have  a  proof  of  it.  Would 
that  Jerusalem  had  listened  to  his  voice  ere  it  became 
too  late  !  But  the  day  of  her  doom  has  come,  and 
those  flames  will  soon  complete  her  desolation." 

Both  of  them  now  rose  and  stood  watching  the 
conflagration  of  the  Upper  City  from  one  of  the  win 
dows  ;  and  as  they  did  so  Herodion  arrived  with  the 
two  soldiers.  We  need  not  describe  the  touching 
scene  that  followed ;  suffice  it  to  say  that  our  heroine 
and  her  father  and  lover  were  for  a  moment  trans 
ported  to  the  highest  heaven  of  happiness. 

k-  Ah  !  my  children,"  said  Herodion  presently,  wip 
ing  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  "the  remembrance  of 


A  Final  Attempt.  309 

this  day  will  ever  remain  with  me.  Of  ten  have  I  said 
like  our  father  Jacob  of  old,  4  All  these  things  are 
against  me.'  But  now  I  can  truly  say  with  the  ever 
blessed  Paul,  '  We  know  that  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God.'  ' 

"  Can  we  not  also  say,  father,"  said  Rebekah, 
looking  at  the  marks  of  suffering  and  want  in  his  face, 
"that  'the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be 
revealed  in  us  '  ?  " 

"  Ay,  doubtless,  my  daughter  ;  and  that  comforting 
thought  has  upheld  our  souls  under  the  heavy  weight 
of  many  sorrows." 

Gradually  the  conversation  drifted  to  the  experi 
ences  through  which  each  of  them  had  passed  during 
the  last  few  days.  We  need  to  repeat  here  only 
Herodion's  experience. 

"I  was  seized  by  ungodly  hands  near  Herod's 
palace,"  said  he,  "  and  dragged  before  Judas  in  this 
room.  When  the  treacherous  villain  saw  me,  he 
smiled  and  said  that  now  I  was  in  his  power  I  had 
better  aid  him  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  purpose. 
I  answered  only  with  reproaches ;  hence  I  was  cast 
into  a  dungeon  in  which  I  remained  until  about  an 
hour  ago  without  any  food  except  a  few  crusts  of 
bread  once  a  day.  God  only  knows  the  agonies  I 
suffered  there.  I  thought  but  little  of  myself  ;  thou, 
O  my  daughter,  wast  the  burden  of  my  thoughts. 
Sometimes  I  comforted  myself  with  God's  precious 
promises  ;  at  other  times  the  fearful  threats  which 
Judas  hurled  into  the  dungeon  at  me  thrust  me  into 
despair.  But  God  be  praised  ;  it  is  all  over  now. 
The  guilty  has  been  punished,  and  we  are  alive  and 
free ! " 

As  Priscus  and  Rebekah  were  the  only  listeners, 
the  two  soldiers  having  been  dismissed  soon  after 
their  arrival,  Herodion  spoke  with  the  utmost  freedom. 
When  he  paused  the  startling  peals  of  a  trumpet  were 
heard. 

"  That  trumpet  summons  our  legion  to  the  camp," 


310  Rebekah. 

said  Priscus  ;  "  and  with  the  rest  I  must  obey.  I  am 
sorry  I  cannot  stay  with  you  longer  now ;  duty  is  a 
rigorous  master.  I  shall  be  with  you  again  soon." 

Then  leading  his  friends  to  a  suite  of  rooms  in  the 
northern  side  of  the  tower,  he  left  them  to  enjoy  such 
comforts  and  luxuries  as  they  had  not  known  since 
their  residence  at  Csesarea.  During  the  next  two 
days  he  paid  them  several  visits,  and  kept  them  in 
formed  of  all  that  transpired.  What  he  had  to  say, 
however,  tended  to  sadden  them  rather  than  cheer 
their  hearts,  and  it  was  with  reluctance  that  he  men 
tioned  certain  facts. 

"  Since  you  urge  me  to  speak  of  these  things,"  said 
he  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  "  I  will  obey. 
You  already  know  that  a  vast  multitude  were  gath 
ered  within  the  outer  walls  of  the  Temple.  Of  these 
about  eleven  thousand  have  perished  of  hunger.  A 
great  many,  such  as  the  aged,  the  infirm,  and  the 
seditious,  have  been  slain.  Those  under  seventeen 
have  been  sold  into  slavery ;  and  the  rest,  with  the 
exception  of  the  most  handsome  and  tall  of  the  young 
men,  who  are  reserved  for  the  triumph,  have  been 
sent,  some  to  the  Egyptian  mines,  and  some  to  the 
various  provinces  to  be  destroyed  in  the  theatres. 
Since  the  siege  began,  ninety  seven  thousand  have 
been  sent  into  captivity,  and  eleven  hundred  thousand 
have  perished ! " 

"  Truly  the  hand  of  the  Lord  has  been  laid  heavily 
upon  us,"  said  Herodion  with  a  deep  sigh.  "  Never 
before  has  a  nation  been  known  to  be  destroyed 
during  the  siege  of  a  city.  Millions  came  up  to  the 
feast;  but  only  thousands  have  gone  out  of  the  city 
alive.  The  thunderbolts  of  heaven  have  fallen  upon 
us  ;  henceforth  we  are  a  sport  to  the  nations  !  " 

"Have  the  tyrants  been  destroyed,  or  have  they 
escaped  justice  after  all  the  miseries  they  have  brought 
upon  the  city  ?  "  asked  Rebekah,  looking  at  Priscus 
through  her  tears. 

"  Their  fate  is  not  yet  known  ;  all  search  for  them 
has  been  in  vain.  But  they  must  either  have  per- 


A  Final  Attempt.  311 

ished  in  the  flames  or  have  concealed  themselves  in 
some  of  the  vaults  or  cisterns.  If  the  latter  be  the 
case  ;  hunger  will  soon  drive  them  from  their  hiding- 
places." 

Thus  the  conversation  drifted  from  one  feature  to 
another  of  the  great  subject  that  was  now  uppermost 
in  every  mind,  and  it  was  not  until  past  the  hour  of 
midnight  that  Priscus  sought  the  camp. 

Next  morning  the  whole  army  gathered  around  a 
temporary  tribunal  upon  which  sat  Titus  in  all  his 
military  glory.  Near  the  tribunal  stood  Priscus  with 
others  who  had  distinguished  themselves  during  the 
war. 

Presently,  when  the  general  arose  to  address  the 
army,  Priscus  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  glance 
at  him  more  than  once,  and  a  little  later  when  an 
officer  arose  with  a  long  list  of  names,  he  was  startled 
to  hear  his  own  name  called  as  the  first  to  be  rewarded. 
Going  forward  a  few  paces,  he  knelt  at  the  foot  of 
the  tribunal,  while  all  eyes  were  fixed  upon  him. 

"  It  is  with  great  pleasure,  O  Priscus,"  said  Titus, 
rising,  "  that  I  recall  thy  noble  deeds  of  valor,  and 
take  this  occasion  to  reward  thee.  Rome  is  proud  of 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  known  hereafter  as  Priscus 
the  tribune." 

As  he  uttered  the  closing  words  he  placed  a  crown 
of  gold  on  his  head,  a  chain  of  gold  about  his  neck, 
a  golden  spear  in  his  hand,  and  an  ensign  of  silver  on 
his  breast.  Priscus  then,  almost  confused  by  these 
honors,  returned  to  his  place  amidst  loud  acclama 
tions.  All  the  others  worthy  of  special  honor  were 
rewarded  in  a  similar  way,  and  among  them  Marcus 
and  Publius,  the  former  being  made  a  centurion,  and 
the  latter  a  decurion.  The  distribution  of  these  marks 
of  distinction  was  followed  by  that  of  the  spoils,  every 
soldier  receiving  some  valuable  reward. 

In  the  afternoon  Titus  sent  away  the  larger  part 
of  his  army  to  different  places,  and  early  the  next 
morning  he  started  for  Ctesarea  with  two  legions, 
leaving  the  tenth  to  guard  the  ruined  city.  In  the 


812  RebekaL 

triumphal  procession  two  groups  of  objects  were  very 
conspicuous,  namely  tlie  Jewish  captives  and  Re- 
bekah  and  her  father,  the  former  on  account  of  the 
spoils  which  they  were  obliged  to  carry,  and  the  latter 
because  they  rode  on  camels.  The  procession  pro 
ceeded  as  fast  as  the  captives  could  walk,  each  indi 
vidual  indulging  in  such  thoughts  as  his  condition  sug 
gested.  The  Romans  were  elated  with  their  victory ; 
the  Jews  despondent  with  the  consciousness  of  their 
terrible  fall.  As  might  be  expected,  Rebekah  and  her 
father  sympathized  with  the  captives,  their  hearts 
sank  within  them  also  as  they  cast  a  last  glance  at 
the  city,  all  of  which  with  the  exception  of  the  three 
strongest  towers  and  the  western  wall  was  now  even 
with  the  ground. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


THE  TRIUMPH. 

SPRING  was  again  smiling  on  the  earth  and  every 
garden  in  Rome  was  filled  with  the  many  charms 
which  her  munificent  hand  had  scattered  abroad.  Of 
the  many  thousands  who  felt  her  invigorating  touch, 
none  were  more  happy  than  Rebekah  as  she  sat  with 
Servius's  wife  in  the  solarium. 

"It  is  but  few  years  since  we  sat  here  before," said 
Rebekah ;  "yet  how  many  changes  have  been  wrought, 
and  what  varied  experiences  we  have  passed  through ! " 

"  Thou  speakest  truly,"  said  the  Roman  matron, 
"  and  as  I  view  thee  now  I  ana  forced  to  think  that 
none  have  changed  so  much  as  thou.  Though  the 
trials  to  which  thou  hast  been  subjected  have  not 
marred  thy  beauty,  yet  they  have  left  their  marks 
on  thee." 

"  Dost  thou  think  I  look  much  older  ?  " 

"  No,  not  that,  so  much  as  a  graveness  of  expres 
sion  and  an  air  of  submission  wholly  unknown  to  thee 
before," 


The  Triumph.  313 

"  I  do  not  feel  grave  ;  the  cup  of  my  happiness  is 
full." 

"  I  doubt  not  thy  word,  sweet  sister ;  for  I  have 
not  failed  to  notice  the  contrast  between  thy  present 
mood  and  that  which  thou  wast  in  when  we  sat 
together  here  before." 

"  The  change  in  my  feelings  is  not  greater  than 
that  which  is  visible  in  the  appearance  of  the  city. 
My  eyes  then  looked  upon  blackened  ruins ;  now  they 
behold  naught  but  architectural  beauty  everywhere. 
That  grand  structure  yonder  must  be  Nero's  golden 
palace." 

"  Ay,  and  I  can  never  look  at  it  without  thinking 
of  the  desolation  which  the  tyrant  caused  in  order  to 
make  room  for  it,  and  the  oppressive  measures  he 
took  in  order  to  pay  for  it." 

"  I  must  ask  Priscus  to  take  me  to  see  it  after  he 
arrives." 

"  I  am  far  more  anxious  to  see  him  than  the  palace. 
It  is  such  a  long  time  since  I  saw  him." 

"  We  shall  both  see  him  to-morrow  in  the  triumph." 

"  Could  he  behold  his  bride  now,  he  would  not 
wait  for  the  triumph  before  giving  me  an  opportunity 
to  see  him." 

"  Hast  thou  ever  witnessed  a  triumph?  "  said  Re- 
bekah,  changing  the  conversation. 

"  No  ;  but  I  have  long  wished  to  see  one." 

"  It  is  said  that  Rome  has  never  witnessed  so  glo 
rious  and  magnificent  a  one  as  this  is  to  be." 

"  Oh,  I  would  that  to-morrow  had  come  !  " 

The  anxiety  felt  by  Servius's  wife  was  shared  by 
every  one  in  Rome.  Hence  when  Rebekah  and  her 
father  accompanied  by  the  Roman  matron  were  driv 
en  to  a  grand  stand  near  Octavian's  walks  early  next 
morning  they  found  the  streets  lined  with  thousands 
of  spectators  far  beyond  the  temple  of  Tsis,  and  it  was 
with  much  difficulty  that  they  obtained  a  favorable 
place  of  observation. 

Presently,  when  they  had  time  to  scan  the  crowds, 
they  saw  the  senate,  the  leading  officials  of  the  city 


814  Rekelcah. 

and  of  the  provinces,  and  those  of  the  equestrian  order, 
arranged  according  to  their  dignity  and  rank,  await 
ing  the  arrival  of  Vespasian  and  Titus.  Their  atten 
tion  however  was  soon  diverted  from  these  dignita 
ries  by  the  flourish  of  trumpets  which  announced  the 
coming  of  the  emperor  and  his  son.  From  where 
they  stood,  they  could  see  them  very  distinctlv. 
Each  was  clothed  in  a  purple  robe  and  crowned  with 
laurel.  On  they  came  amidst  deafening  cheers  and 
acclamations  which  increased  in  volume  every  mo 
ment.  Ascending  a  tribunal  in  front  of  the  senate 
and  the  other  dignitaries,  they  seated  themselves  in 
two  ivory  chairs  placed  there  for  the  occasion. 

"  I  fear  the  soldiers  have  more  reverence  for  the 
victors  than  for  the  gods  !  "  whispered  Servius's  wife 
to  Rebekah. 

"  It  certainly  seems  so,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  and  I  am 
afraid  they  will  rend  my  ears,  if  they  do  not  cease 
shouting." 

At  a  signal  from  Vespasian  the  loud  acclamations 
now  died  into  absolute  silence,  and  the  emperor,  part 
ly  covering  his  head  with  his  robe,  offered  prayers  ap 
propriate  to  the  occasion.  Then  after  Titus  had  per 
formed  the  same  sacred  duty,  he  addressed  the  peo 
ple  in  a  brief  but  pleasing  manner,  and  invited  the 
soldiers  to  partake  of  a  grand  dinner  prepared  at  the 
expense  of  the  victors. 

"  Would  that  I  were  a  soldier,  that  I  might  par 
take  of  that  imperial  banquet,"  said  the  Roman  ma 
tron  as  the  trio  left  their  post  of  observation. 

"  Thou  canst  have  my  share  though  not  a  soldier, 
my  Valeria,"  said  a  voice  that  sent  a  thrill  of  delight 
through  more  than  one  heart. 

Finding  himself  at  leisure  for  a  moment  while  the 
troops  were  being  set  in  proper  order  for  the  feast, 
Prisons  took  occasion  to  exchange  greetings  with  his 
loved  ones.  His  sudden  appearance  was  nailed  with 
joy,  and  for  an  instant  the  demonstrations  of  Rebekah 
and  his  sister  almost  bewildered  him.  Extricating 
himself  from  their  embrace  he  remarked  with  a  laugh, 


The  Triumph.  315 

"  As  Csesar  did  not  include  this  impromptu  show 
in  his  programme,  I  fear  he  will  call  me  to  account 
for  violating  the  order  of  the  day." 

"  Then  thou  must,  like  Adam,  charge  all  responsi 
bility  to  thy  wife,"  said  Herodion. 

"  Oh,  that  is  not  fair,  seeing  that  his  sister  is  a  par 
taker  of  my  guilt,"  said  Rebekah. 

As  Priscus  was  expected  to  join  the  other  tribunes 
at  the  banquet,  he  now  left  the  trio  as  suddenly  as  he 
had  approached  them,  regretting  that  he  could  not  be 
with  them  during  the  triumphal  procession,  while 
they  made  their  way  through  the  crowds  to  an  ele 
vated  platform  built  for  the  occasion  near  the  temple 
of  Castor.  Their  position  was  most  favorable,  as  it 
commanded  a  full  view  of  the  Capitol,  the  Forum, 
and  the  whole  of  the  Sacred  Way.  Nor  did  they  fail 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  thus  afforded 
them  to  see  the  architectural  grandeur,  the  artistic 
decorations,  and  the  curious  objects  which  every 
where  met  their  eyes.  As  they  were  viewing  the  im 
mense  crowds  which  stood  in  holiday  attire  on  the 
steps  of  the  public  buildings  in  front  of  them,  the 
flourish  of  trumpets  similar  to  that  which  they  had 
heard  in  the  morning  announced  the  approach  of  the 
triumphal  procession,  and  all  turned  their  attention 
to  the  east  end  of  the  Via  Sacra  in  the  height  of  ex 
pectancy. 

First  came  the  senate  in  festal  robes,  headed  by  the 
magistrates  and  closely  followed  by  the  trumpeters. 
After  these  came  gilded  wagons  and  frames  laden 
with  an  endless  variety  of  articles  in  gold,  silver, 
ivory,  silk,  &c.,  so  arranged  as  to  produce  the  great 
est  effect.  Now  Herodion's  face  glowed  with  delight 
at  the  sight  of  the  rarest  purple  hangings  and  the 
richest  Babylonian  embroideries  he  had  seen  since  the 
destruction  of  his  goods  by  the  fire  ;  and  now  the 
women  expressed  their  admiration  in  the  most  extrava 
gant  terms  of  the  crowns  of  gold  and  precious  stones 
that  were  being  carried  by  a  crowd  of  gorgeously  at 
tired  youths  upon  cushions  of  silk.  As  these  passed 


£16  Rebekah. 

out  of  sight,  beautifully  decorated  frames  supporting 
large,  costly,  and  elegant  images  of  the  gods  came  in 
to  view,  borno  by  a  large  company  of  men  clad  in  pur 
ple  garments  interwoven  with  gold.  While  Rebekah 
and  her  father  admired  the  artistic  skill  and  taste  dis 
played  m  this  part  of  the  show,  the  heathen  associ 
ations  connected  with  it  prevented  them  from  any  en 
thusiastic  display  of  admiration  like  that  which 
Priscus's  sister  now  manifested.  Nor  did  they  share 
the  delight  of  those  around  them  when  a  band  of  flute 
players  ushered  into  view  a  company  of  priests  with 
a  bullock  adorned  with  white  ribbons.  A  smile  of 
pleasure  lighted  up  their  countenances,  however, 
when  these  gave  room  to  various  kinds  of  wild  ani 
mals,  some  of  which  were  led  by  their  keepers,  and 
others  drawn  in  open  carriages,  while  they  performed 
numerous  tricks  for  the  amusement  of  the  wondering 
multitudes. 

A  sudden  change  in  the  behavior  of  the  crowds 
now  turned  the  attention  of  our  friends  to  two  indi 
viduals  at  the  head  of  seven  hundred  tall,  handsome 
men,  whom  their  costume  and  bonds  declared  to  be 
Jewish  captives. 

"  Ha,  ha,  those  two  must  be  the  leaders  of  the  re 
bellion,"  said  the  Roman  matron. 

"  Ay,"  said  Herodion  ;  "  that  one  on  the  left  is 
John  of  Gischala,  the  other  is  Simon  the  son  of 
Gioras." 

"  Why  have  they  not  tied  a  rope  around  John's 
head  also,  father?"  said  Rebekah,  as  she  watched 
Simon  being  pulled  forward  like  a  bullock  led  to  the 
slaughter. 

"  The  son  of  Gioras  is  condemned  to  die ;  John  is 
sentenced  to  perpetual  imprisonment,"  was  the  reply. 

"Is  it  not  strange,  father,  that,  having  escaped 
death  at  the  fall  of  the  city,  they  should  be  forced  to 
quit  their  concealment  by  hunger,  and  thus  meet  a 
fate  that  must  of  all  be  the  most  odious  and  terrible 
to  them  ?  "  continued  Rebekah. 


The  Triumph.  317 

"The  wicked  strive  in  vain  to  elude  the  vengeance 
of  the  gods !  "  said  Priscus's  sister. 

"  The  streams  of  innocent  blood  which  they  have 
shed,  and  the  dying  groans  of  famishing  thousands 
have  not  escaped  the  attention  of  the  true  God,"  said 
Herodion. 

The  tyrants  were  now  out  of  sight,  but  the  captives 
who  followed  them  were  still  marching  by  with  down 
cast  eyes  and  countenances  which  spoke  plainly  of 
the  departure  of  hope  and  the  approach  of  a  fearful 
doom. 

"  We  must  not  miss  the  pleasure  of  seeing  these 
righting  with  beasts  and  with  each  other  in  the  arena," 
said  Servius's  wife.  Then  remembering  the  character 
of  our  friends,  she  continued,  "  Ah!  I  forgot  that  you 
do  not  believe  in  the  gladiatorial  shows." 

"  Not  only  do  we  not  believe  in  them,  O  lady," 
answered  Herodion,  "but  we  condemn  them  with  all 
our  hearts.  It  is  not  for  us  to  say  that  those  upon 
whom  the  wrath  of  God  rests,  though  they  be  of  our 
own  blood,  should  not  be  punished ;  but  it  is  a  crime 
against  God  and  man  to  make  human  beings  kill  each 
other  and  cause  them  to  be  torn  to  pieces  in  the 
arena  for  the  amusement  of  depraved  multitudes. 
When  I  heard  that  two  thousand  five  hundred  cap 
tives  had  been  destroyed  in  the  theatre  at  Ca3sarea 
in  honor  of  Domitian's  birthday,  my  soul  rebelled 
within  me,  nor  can  I  think  that  God  delights  in  such 
inhuman  spectacles." 

Fortunately  these  words  were  not  heard  by  the 
noisy  crowds  around  Herodion,  else  it  might  have 
fared  ill  with  him.  Nor  did  Priscus's  sister  listen  to 
them,  her  attention  being  now  absorbed  in  the  pag 
eants  that  were  being  borne  along  on  the  shoulders  of 
strong  men.  These  pageants  consisted  in  representa 
tions  of  the  Jewish  war  and  in  the  display  of  the 
spoils.  Pictures  of  sacked  cities  and  towns,  of  wasted 
lands,  of  naval  victories,  and  of  the  march  of  victo 
rious  armies  shared  the  attention  of  the  gaping  crowds 
with  golden  ornaments  and  carpets  of  gold.  Next  to 


318  Rebekah. 

a  representation  of  the  siege  and  fall  of  Jerusalem 
which  was  by  far  the  most  magnificent  and  exciting 
of  the  pageants,  and  which   brought  a  long  train  of 
unpleasant  recollections  into  our  friends'  minds,  came 
the  spoils  taken  from  the  Holy  City.     As  Rebekah 
saw  the  golden  table  and  candlestick  together  with  a 
copy  of  the  Law  exposed  to  public  gaze,  she  thought 
of  that  memorable  day  when  she  beheld  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  Sanctuary.     Nor  could  she  for  a  moment 
restrain  her  tears.     The  emotions  which  swayed  the 
crowds,  however,  were  quite  different.   To  them  those 
sacred   things   suggested    nothing  but  victory,  and 
that  part  of  the  procession  which  -followed  the  spoils 
was  in  perfect  harmony  with  this  suggestion  ;  for  here 
could  be  seen  a  great  many  men  bearing  images  of 
Victory,  which  being  made  of  ivory  and  of  gold  in 
the   most   artistic    manner,   produced    a   wonderful 
effect.     Immediately  after  these  images,  at  the  head 
of  the  victorious  army,  now  came  Vespasian  and  his 
two  sons.    The  emperor  took  the  lead  in  an  embroid 
ered  toga  of  great  splendor,  and  Titus  followed,  also 
in  triumphal  garments,   each  riding  in  a  beautiful 
chariot  adorned  with  ivory,  and  drawn  by  four  horses, 
whose   graceful   movements  and  occasional  prancing 
were  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  occasion.    Domitian 
not  being  a  conqueror,  rode  on  horseback,  gorgeously 
attired,  after  the  other  two.     The  conquerors  were 
everywhere  received  with  acclamations  of  joy,  and 
the   multitudes  continued  to  cheer  long  after  they 
had  passed  by. 

"  Ah !  I  am  sorry  it  is  over,"  said  Priscus's  sister. 
"  I  could  stand  and  view  it  forever." 

"  See  !  see !  "  said  Rebekah,  "  the  conquerors  have 
reached  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus,  and  are 
waiting  to  hear  that  Simon  is  executed !  " 

"  Would  that  I  were  near  enough  to  see  the  mur 
derous  dog  die,"  said  the  Roman  matron. 

"  There !  the  tyrant  is  at  last  sent  before  his  Judge," 
cried  Herodion.  "  See  !  his  body  is  being  exposed  on 
the  S  tail* way  of  Groans !  " 


Tke   Triumph.  319 

This  hideous  spectacle  was  greeted  with  joyful 
shouts  everywhere,  and  the  soldiers  as  they  passed  it 
on  their  way  to  the  Capitol,  made  it  the  occasion  of 
many  coarse  jests. 

As  Rebekah  and  her  father  did  not  wish  to  take 
part  in  the  heathen  solemnities,  nor  witness  the 
heathen  sacrifices  which  now  were  offered,  they  re 
turned  to  Servius's  house,  while  the  Roman  matron 
hastened  to  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus. 

"  Now  that  the  triumph  is  over,"  said  Priscus,  join 
ing  them  soon  after,  "  we  will  have  a  home  of  our 
own." 

"Ah!  my  happiness  will  know  no  bounds  when  I 
find  myself  once  more  on  the  dear  old  Aventine," 
said  his  wife. 

So  in  due  time  Rebekah  found  herself  the  happy 
mistress  of  a  new  home  on  the  site  of  the  old  one, 
and  welcomed  her  father  as  formerly  from  his  stall  at 
the  base  of  the  Palatine,  and  Priscus  from  a  Praeto- 
riuin  which  had  succeeded  the  one  destroyed  by  the 
fire. 


END. 


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LIBRARY,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

Book  Slip-Series  458 


N9  826817 


Jones,  M.P. 
Rebekah. 


PS2151 

J52 

R4 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


